A charged ball B hangs from a silk thread S which makes an angle θ with a large charged conducting sheet P, as shown in the figure. The surface charge density σ of the sheet is proportional to
(A)cosθ
(B)cotθ
(C)sinθ
(D)tanθ✓ Correct
Answer: (D)
Solution
The charged sheet sets up a uniform field E=2ε0σ that pushes the bob horizontally. At equilibrium the thread's tension balances this and gravity: Tsinθ=qE across and Tcosθ=mg down. Dividing, tanθ=mgqE=2ε0mgqσ, so σ∝tanθ.
JEE Main · 2005 · 08 May 2005 · Offline · Single correct option