Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 23 - Gauss' Law - Problems - Page 681: 35

Answer

The ratio of the charge density on sheet 3 to that on sheet 2 is $~~-1.5$

Work Step by Step

Between sheet 2 and sheet 3, the net electric field is $E_s$ To the right of sheet 3, the net electric field is $0$ Then the magnitude of the electric field due to $\sigma_3$ must be $\frac{E_s}{2}$ and $\sigma_3$ must be a negative charge density. Between sheet 2 and sheet 3, the net electric field is $E_s$ Between sheet 1 and sheet 2, the net electric field is $\frac{E_s}{3}$ Then the magnitude of the electric field due to $\sigma_2$ must be $\frac{E_s}{3}$ and $\sigma_2$ must be a positive charge density. Note that the electric field is proportional to the surface charge density. We can find the ratio $\frac{\sigma_3}{\sigma_2}$: $\frac{\sigma_3}{\sigma_2} = -\frac{\frac{E_s}{2}}{\frac{E_s}{3}} = -1.5$ The ratio of the charge density on sheet 3 to that on sheet 2 is $~~-1.5$
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