One or more options correct
A point charge is held at a distance in front of a very large grounded conducting plane. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- A. The force on the charge has magnitude .
- B. The total charge induced on the plane is .
- C. The work an external agent must do to take the charge slowly to infinity is .
- D. The induced surface charge density at the point of the plane nearest to the charge is .
Show answer and solution
Answer: A, B, D
Use the method of images: an image at distance behind the plane reproduces the field in front. (A) is correct: . (B) is correct: all field lines from end on the plane, so the induced charge totals . (C) is incorrect: the force at separation from the plane is , so , which is half of the stated value (the value would be the energy of a real pair of charges and separated by , not the work against the induced charge). (D) is correct: at the foot point the two charges give a field normal to the plane, and .
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