Q. Infinite charges of magnitude q each are lying at $x = 1,2,4,8..$metre on X-axis. The value of intensity of electric field at point $x = 0$ due to these charges will be

A) $12 \times 10^{9}\ q\ NC^{- 1}$
B) zero
C) $6 \times 10^{9}\ q\ NC^{- 1}$
D) $4 \times 10^{9}\ q\ NC^{- 1}$
Explanation

(a) If there are $n$ point charges $q_{1},\ q_{2},\ldots.q_{n},$ then each of them will produce the same intensity at any point which it would have produced in the absence of other point charges. Hence, total intensity will be vector sum of $\mathbf{E}_{1},\ \mathbf{E}_{2}\ldots..,\ \mathbf{E}_{n}$ produced at a point.
$\sum E = \frac{q}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}r_{1}^{2}} + \frac{q}{4\varepsilon_{0}r_{2}^{2}} + \ldots + \frac{q}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}r_{n}^{2}}\ $
$\therefore E = \frac{q}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\left\lbrack \frac{1}{1^{2}} + \frac{1}{2^{2}} + \frac{1}{4^{2}} + \frac{1}{8^{2}} + \ldots \right\rbrack$
The given series is a geometric progression.
Hence,
$sum\ (S) = \frac{a}{1 - r}$
Where $a$ is first term of series and $r$ the common difference
$r = \frac{1}{4},\ a = 1$
$\therefore S = \frac{1}{1 - \frac{1}{4}} = \frac{4}{3}$
$\therefore Total\ intensity = \frac{q \times 4}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0} \times 3}$
$= \frac{9 \times 10^{9} \times 4q}{3}$
$= 12 \times 10^{9}qNC^{- 1}$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.