Question

The electric field due to a uniformly charged infinite plane sheet with surface charge density σ is:

Options

• \[E = \frac{\sigma}{2\varepsilon_0}\]

• \[E = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0}\]

• \[E = \frac{\sigma}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\]

• \[E = \frac{\sigma}{2\pi\varepsilon_0}\]

Answer 1

For an infinite plane sheet with surface charge density σ, applying Gauss's Law with a pillbox surface yields E = σ/(2ε₀). A remarkable feature is that this field is independent of the distance from the plane—it remains constant everywhere. The field direction is normal to the plane, outward for positive σ and inward for negative σ.