Name: Gold Leaf Electroscope
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 10 min 22 s
Description: Learn about the instrument that responds to the presence of charges, just like a “Touch Me Not” plant! Interesting right? Watch this video to find out more!

Question

Define surface density of charge. State how the surface density of charge depends on the shape of the conductor.

Accepted Answer

According to electromagnetism, charge density is defined as a measure of electric charge per unit volume of the space in one, two, or three dimensions. To be specific, the linear surface or volume charge density is the amount of electric charge per surface area or volume, respectively.

Surface charge describes the electric potential difference between the inner and outer surface of different states like solid and liquid, liquid and gas, or gas and liquid. The surface charge density is present only in conducting surfaces and describes the whole amount of charge q per unit area A.

The surface charge density formula is given by,

$σ = \frac{q}{A}$

Where,

σ is surface charge density (C⋅m⁻²)

q is charge {Coulomb(C)}

A is surface area (m²)

So, the surface charge density is inversely proportional to the surface area of the charged conductor. Thus, if two conductors of different surface area have the same net charge on them, then the surface charge density will be higher for the conductor with smaller area.

Define surface density of charge. State how the surface density of charge depends on the shape of the conductor.

Important Questions on Electrostatics-General Properties of Electric Charge

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