- #1
erisedk
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- 7
Homework Statement
So, I always make mistakes on problems such as this (the grounding part), so I'm hoping someone could really explain to me how the process works instead of just answering this particular problem.
There are n large parallel plate conductors carrying charges Q1, Q2,... Qn respectively.
(i) Find the charge induced at surface A (outermost surface, i.e., outer surface of Q1 conductor).
(ii) Find the charge induced at surface B (left surface of second, ie. Q2 conductor)
(iii) If the left conductor (conductor Q1) is earthed, find the magnitude of charge flowing from plate to earth.
(iv) If any conductor is earthed, find the magnitude of charge flowing from plate to earth.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Parts (i) and (ii) are fairly simple. Writing charge distributions on the plates is never an issue for me. But (iii) and (iv) kind of problems trip me up. So, the outermost charge (i.e. the charge on outer surface of plate Q1 i.e. surface A) should flow from the plate to the ground, so the answer should be the same as part (i) but it's not. It's double. So, I'm thinking it's cos some other stuff happens and essentially makes the outermost charge on the rightmost plate (i.e. Qn) also 0. But I'm so confused by it all. Just please someone explain this entire concept to me. And (iv) again I'm pretty confused.