# Show that the Normal Component of Electrostatic Field Has a Discontinuity from One Side of a Charged Surface to Another - Physics

Numerical

(a) Show that the normal component of electrostatic field has a discontinuity from one side of a charged surface to another given by

(vec"E"_2 - vec"E"_1).hat"n" = sigma/in_0

Where hat"n" is a unit vector normal to the surface at a point and σ is the surface charge density at that point. (The direction of hat"n" is from side 1 to side 2.) Hence show that just outside a conductor, the electric field is σ hat"n"/in_0

(b) Show that the tangential component of electrostatic field is continuous from one side of a charged surface to another.

[Hint: For (a), use Gauss’s law. For, (b) use the fact that work done by electrostatic field on a closed loop is zero.]

#### Solution

(a) Electric field on one side of a charged body is E1 and electric field on the other side of the same body is E2. If infinite plane charged body has a uniform thickness, then electric field due to one surface of the charged body is given by,

vec"E"_1 = -sigma/(2in_0)hat"n" ..........(1)

Where,

hat"n" = Unit vector normal to the surface at a point

σ = Surface charge density at that point

Electric field due to the other surface of the charged body,

vec"E"_2 = sigma/(2in_0)hat"n" ........(2)

Electric field at any point due to the two surfaces,

vec"E"_2 - vec"E"_1 = sigma/(2in_0)hat"n" + sigma/(2in_0)hat"n" = sigma/(in_0)hat"n"

(vec"E"_2 - vec"E"_1)hat"n" = sigma/in_0 ......(3)

Since inside a closed conductor, vec"E"_1 = 0,

∴ vec"E" = vec"E"_2 = -sigma/(2in_0)hat"n"

Therefore, the electric field just outside the conductor is sigma/(in_0)hat"n".

(b) When a charged particle is moved from one point to the other on a closed-loop, the work done by the electrostatic field is zero. Hence, the tangential component of the electrostatic field is continuous from one side of a charged surface to the other.

Concept: Electrostatics of Conductors
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#### APPEARS IN

NCERT Physics Part 1 and 2 Class 12
Chapter 2 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Exercise | Q 2.16 | Page 87
NCERT Class 12 Physics Textbook
Chapter 2 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Exercise | Q 16 | Page 88
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