Six large parallel conducting plates are connected as shown. Their consecutive separations are d, 2d, d, 2d, d. A battery of emf V is connected. Electric field between plates 1 and 2 is V/(kd). Find k. [See Image.]
Physics · Mixed Chapter
JEE Main Practice

Question

Six large parallel conducting plates are connected as shown. Their consecutive separations are d, 2d, d, 2d, d. A battery of emf V is connected. Electric field between plates 1 and 2 is V/(kd). Find k. [See Image.]

Physics · Mixed Chapter

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Join plates belonging to the same electrical node, using the wires without connecting at crossover bridges. Step 2 — A parallel-plate gap has field E = ΔV/gap. Apply equipotential-node relations and solve charges on each unconnected plate from net-zero free charge. Step 3 — From the original connection diagram, the first gap sustains ΔV₁₂ = V across distance d. Hence E₁₂ = V/d. Step 4 — Compare with V/(kd): k = 1.