Question

Three identical, conducting plane parallel plates, each of area A are held with equal separation d between successive surfaces. Charges Q, 2Q and 3Q are placed on them. Neglecting edge effects, find the distribution of charges on the six surfaces.

Answer 1

3Q and 2Q being larger, will repel each other first and move towards the opposite sides.

The Q charge on the first plate will get pushed towards the opposite side.

In addition to this, the 2Q charge on the left of the middle plate will attract all the electrons on the first plate and they will get deposited on the right side creating a deficiency of electrons on the left side creating a positive charge on the left.

The charge deposited on the right of the 1st plate will be -2Q, creating a positive charge 2Q on left side

This 2Q will add up with Q and become 3Q on the left.