The electric field due to a uniformly charged disc at a point very distant from the surface of the disc is given by [σ is the surface charge density on the disc]
A
E=2ϵ0σ
B
E=ϵ0σ
C
E=ϵ02σ
D
E=4ϵ0σ
Medium
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Solution
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Correct option is A)
Consider the disc of radius "a" with uniform charge density σ; E be the electric field at a point along the axis of the disc at a distance x from its center.
We can assume the charge distribution as a collection of concentric rings of charge. Consider one such ring of radius r and charge dq.
Area element dA=(2πr)dr= area of ring
dq=σdA=(2πσr)dr= charge of that ring
Due to symmetry, there is no vertical component of electric field at point P. There is only the horizontal component so, using the result from a ring of charge;
dEx=(x2+r2)3/2k(dq)x
=(x2+r2)3/2k(2πσr)drx
Ex=∫0adEx=∫0a(x2+r2)3/2(2πσrkdr)x
put x2+r2=t2
Differentiating both sides,
2rdr=2tdt
At r=0;t=x
At r=a;t=x2+a2
So, Ex=2ε0σ∫xx2+a2t3tdt
=2ε0σ[t−1]xx2+a2
=2ε0σ[x1−x2+a21]
=2ε0σ⎣⎢⎢⎢⎡1−x2a2+11⎦⎥⎥⎥⎤ is very small compared to 1.