Charge is the basic in nature while electric field is charge-associated quantity.

Charge is primary aspect while

electric field is secondary. In any problem, charge needs to be calculated first, after that electric field is calculated as
per the distribution of charge.

Presence of electric field doesn’t ascertain the presence of charge because electric field can be produced by
fluctuating magnetic field in some region of space which is far away from any charge OR we can approximately say,
in absence of charge as in case of EM wave which propagates very-very far away from an accelerating charge, thus
producing electric field in absence of charge. While, presence of charge ascertains the presence of electric field.

Question: Two conducting PLATES (i.e., THEY HAVE SOME THICKNESS) [WHILE SHEETS MEAN THEY HAVE ALMOST
NO THICKNESS] A & B are placed parallel to each other. A is given a charge Q 1 & B, a charge Q2. Find the distribution
of charges on four surfaces of plates?

Answer: First of all σ = surface charge density =

Given charge∨charge present
area
Total area containing that charge∨total thecharge is present
which

e.g. Charge Q is present only on the right side of the conducting plate, and not anywhere else on the surface of
Q
the block. So, here σ = side of the block ¿ .
Areaof ¿

eg Charge Q is present only on the top surface & right surface of the conducting plate & no where else

on the surface of the block.

Q
Q
So, σ = area = surface (not whole surface area)¿ .
Total chargeis present Area of top+ Areaof ¿
which

Now back to Question,

 The darkened part shows the region within a gaussian surface. Total flux of electric field through the closed
gaussian surface = 0. So, charge inside this surface = 0.

Thus, CHARGE ON INNER SURFACE OF A SHOULD BE EQUAL & OPPOSITE TO THAT ON THE INNER SURFACE OF B,
since both must have some charges.

Thus, the figure is

Since the plates are conducting, so charge exists over surfaces 1,2,3,4
in/over very small thickness. And, so each surface 1,2,3,4 can be assumed as a thin sheet of charge. This will make no
mistake anyway as all charge is just present on 1,2,3,4’s surface & inner metal can just be thought of a joint between
the surfaces & nothing else.

Thus A is breaked up into surface1 & 2 as shown in following figure.

Q1−q
Thus, ( Electric field of 1 ) . ( 2a ) [ one area for upper part & one for lower part ] =
ϵ

{ same as derivation of electric field for a thin sheet of charge }

We get

Q1−q
Electric field due to surface 1 =
2 aϵ

Similarly electric field due to surface

q
2:
2 aϵ

q
3:
2 aϵ

Q2+ q
4:
2 aϵ

But surface within 1 & 2 is field – free region as its metal. So, sum of all = 0 ( by gauss’s law )

Thus, Q1-q = ( Q1 + Q2 )/2 & Q2 + q = ( Q1 + Q2 )/2. Thus, surface charge on all four surfaces can be obtained.
Note : In fact if there is possibility of induced charging then first of all, determine the magnitude of induced charges
& then, if required, determine the magnitude of electric field.

e.g. In case of capacitors , especially, the confusing parallel plate capacitors ( Note here that plates in this context

means metal-plates not metal-sheets ) as shown in figure.

A = area of each top surface of the plates

Thus, charge on surfaces after induction of charges :

Q−Q
1: =0
2

2: Q

3 : -Q

4:0

Thus, surfaces 1,4 have no charge . Charge Q & -Q over surfaces 2,3 respectively cover very small thickness of the
metal plates. So, surfaces 2,3 can be considered as sheets of charges.

Q
Thus, electric field due to surface 2 ( or sheet 2 ) =
2 A∈

Q
But for this sheet or surface σ = ( as after induction of charges , Q is present only over the area A of surface 2 ).
A

σ
So, Electric field by 2 =
2∈

σ
Similarly, electric field by 3 =
2ϵ

σ
Thus, net electric field = where σ = Q/A .
ϵ

BY – SNEHANSU SEKHAR SAHU B.TECH ( ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGG. ), NIT NAGPUR.