Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Electric Charges and Fields

NCERT Solutions

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Question1.
What is the force between two small charged spheres having
charges of 2 ×10 - 7 C and 3 × 10 – 7 C placed 30 cm apart in air?
Answer:
Given:
Repulsive force of magnitude 6 × 10 − 3 N
Charge on the first sphere, q 1 = 2 × 10 − 7 C
Charge on the second sphere, q 2 = 3 × 10 − 7 C
Distance between the spheres, r = 30 cm = 0.3 m
Electrostatic force between the spheres is given by the relation :
F = (1/4πε 0 ). (q 1 q 2 )/ (r 2 )
Where, ε 0 = Permittivity of free space and (1/4πε 0 ) =9 × 10 9 Nm 2 C − 2
Therefore, force F = (9 × 10 9 × 2 × 10 − 7 )/ ((0.3) 2 )
= 6 × 10 − 3 N
Hence, force between the two small charged spheres is 6 × 10 − 3 N.
The charges are of same nature. Hence, force between them will be
repulsive.

Question2.
The electrostatic force on a small sphere of charge 0.4 μC due to
another small sphere of charge –0.8 μC in air is 0.2 N.
(a) What is the distance between the two spheres?
(b) What is the force on the second sphere due to the first?
Answer:
(a) Electrostatic force on the first sphere, F = 0.2 N
Charge on this sphere, q 1 = 0.4 μC = 0.4 × 10 − 6 C
Charge on the second sphere, q 2 = − 0.8 μC = − 0.8 × 10 − 6 C

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Electrostatic force between the spheres is given by the relation:

F = (1/4πε 0 ). (q 1 q 2 )/ (r 2 )
Where, ε 0 = Permittivity of free space and (1/4πε 0 ) = 9 × 10 9
Nm 2 C − 2
Therefore, r 2 = ((1/4πε 0 )). ((q 1 q 2 )/ (F))
= (0.4 × 10 − 6 × 8 × 10 − 6 × 9 × 10 9 )/ (0.2)
= 144 × 10 − 4
⇒ r = √ (144 × 10 − 4 )
= 12 × 10 − 2
= 0.12 m
The distance between the two spheres is 0.12 m.
(b) Both the spheres attract each other with the same force.
Therefore, the force on the second sphere due to the first is 0.2 N.

Question 3.
Check that the ratio ke 2 /G m e m p is dimensionless. Look up a Table
of Physical Constants and determine the value of this ratio. What
does the ratio signify?
Answer:
The given ratio is (k e 2 )/ (G m e m p )
Where, G = Gravitational constant. Its unit is N m 2 kg − 2
m e and m p = Masses of electron and proton and their unit is kg.
e = Electric charge. Its unit is C.
k = (1/4πε 0 ) and its unit is N m 2 C − 2
Therefore, unit of the given ratio
(k e 2 )/ (G m e m p ) = ([Nm 2 C − 2 ] [C − 2 ])/ ([Nm 2 kg − 2 ] [kg] [kg])
= M0L0T0

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Hence, the given ratio is dimensionless.

e = 1.6 × 10 − 1 9 C
G = 6.67 × 10 − 1 1 N m 2 kg - 2
m e = 9.1 × 10 − 3 1 kg
m p = 1.66 × 10 − 2 7 kg
Hence, the numerical value of the given ratio is:
(k e 2 )/ (G m e m p )
= (9 × 10 9 × (1.6 × 10 − 1 9 ) 2 )/ (6.67 × 10 − 1 1 × 9.1 × 10 − 3 1 × 1.67 × 10 − 2 7 )
≈ 2.3 × 10 3 9
This is the ratio of electric force to the gravitational force between
a proton and an electron, keeping distance between them
constant.

Question 4.
(a) Explain the meaning of the statement ‘electric charge of a body
is quantised’.
(b) Why can one ignore quantisation of electric charge when
dealing with macroscopic i.e., large scale charges?
Answer:
(a) Electric charge of a body is quantized. This means that only
integral (1, 2... n) number of electrons can be transferred from one
body to the other. Charges are not transferred in fraction. Hence, a
body possesses total charge only in integral multiples of electric
charge.

(b) In macroscopic or large scale charges, the charges used are

huge as compared to the magnitude of electric charge. Hence,
quantization of electric charge is of no use on macroscopic scale.

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Therefore, it is ignored and it is considered that electric charge is

continuous.

Question 5.
When a glass rod is rubbed with a silk cloth, charges appear on
both. A similar phenomenon is observed with many other pairs of
bodies. Explain how this observation is consistent with the law of
conservation of charge.
Answer :
Rubbing produces charges of equal magnitude but of opposite
nature on the two bodies because charges are created in pairs.
This phenomenon of charging is called charging by friction. The net
charge on the system of two rubbed bodies is zero. This is because
equal amount of opposite charges annihilate each other.
When a glass rod is rubbed with a silk cloth, opposite natured
charges appear on both the bodies.
This phenomenon is in consistence with the law of conservation of
energy.
A similar phenomenon is observed with many other pairs of bodies.

Question 6.
Four point charges q A = 2 μC, q B = –5 μC, q C = 2 μC, and q D = –5 μC
are located at the corners of a square ABCD of side 10 cm. What is
the force on a charge of 1 μC placed at the centre of the square?
Answer:
The given figure shows a square of side 10 cm wit h four charges
placed at its corners. O is the centre of the square.

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Where,
(Sides) AB = BC = CD = AD = 10 cm
(Diagonals) AC = BD = 10√2 cm
AO = OC = DO = OB = 5√2 cm
A charge of amount 1μC is placed at point O.
Force of repulsion between charges placed at corner A and centre
O is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction relative to the
force of repulsion between the charges placed at corner C and
centre O.
Hence, they will cancel each other. Similarly, force of attraction
between charges placed at c orner B and centre O is equal in
magnitude but opposite in direction relative to the force of
attraction between the charges placed at corner D and centre O.
Hence, they will also cancel each other. Therefore, net force
caused by the four charges placed a t the corner of the square on 1
μC charge at centre O is zero.

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Question 7.
(a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field
line cannot have sudden breaks. Why not?
(b) Explain why two field lines never cross each other at any point ?
Answer:
(a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve because a
charge experiences a continuous force when traced in an
electrostatic field. The field line cannot have sudden breaks
because the charge moves continuously and does not jump from
one point to the other.
(b) If two field lines cross each other at a point, then electric field
intensity will show two directions at that point. This is not
possible. Hence, two field lines never cross each other.

Question 8.
Two point charges q A = 3 μC and q B = –3 μC are located 20 cm apart
in vacuum.
(a) What is the electric field at the midpoint O of the line AB
joining the two charges?
(b) If a negative test charge of magnitude 1.5 × 10 – 9 C is placed at
this point, what is the force experience d by the test charge?
Answer:
(a) The situation is represented in the given figure. O is the mid -
point of line AB.

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Distance between the two charges, AB = 20 cm

∴ AO = OB = 10 cm
Net electric field at point O = E
Electric field at point O caused by +3μC c harge,
E 1 = (1/4πε 0 ). ((3 × 10 − 6 )/ (OA) 2 )
= (1/4πε 0 ). (3 × 10 − 6 )/ ((10 × 10 − 2 ) 2 ) NC − 1 along OB
Where, ε 0 = Permittivity of free space and (1/4πε0) = 9 × 10 9
Nm 2 C − 2
Therefore,
Magnitude of electric field at point O caused by −3μC charge,
E 2 = | (1/4πε 0 ) (−3 × 10 − 6 )/ ((OB) 2 )|
= (1/4πε 0 ) ((3 × 10 − 6 )/ (10 × 10 − 2 ) 2 ) NC − 1 along OB
∴ E = E1 + E2
= (2 × (1/4πε0)). (3 × 10 − 6 (10 × 10 − 2 ) 2 )NC − 1 along OB
[Since the magnitudes of E 1 and E 2 are equal and in the same
direction]
∴ E = (2 × 9 × 10 9 ) × ((3 × 10 − 6 )/ ((10 × 10 − 2 ) 2 ) NC − 1
= (5.4 × 10 6 NC – 1 ) along OB
Therefore, the electric field at mid -point O is 5.4 × 10 6 N C − 1 along
OB.
(b) A test charge of amount 1.5 × 10 − 9 C is placed at mid – point O.
q = 1.5 × 10 − 9 C
Force experienced by the test charge = F
∴ F = (q E) = 1.5 × 10 − 9 × 5.4 × 10 6 = 8.1 × 10 − 3 N
The force is directed along line OA. This is because the negative
test charge is repelled by the charge placed at point B but
attracted towards point A.

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Therefore, the force experienced by the test charge is 8.1 × 10 − 3 N

along OA.

Question 9.
A system has two charges q A = 2.5 × 10 – 7 C and q B = –2.5 × 10 – 7 C
located at points A: (0, 0, –15 cm) and B: (0, 0, +15 cm),
respectively. What are the total charge and electric dipole moment
of the system?
Answer:
Both the charges can be located in a coordinate frame of reference
as shown in the given figure.

At A, amount of charge, q A = 2.5 × 10 − 7 C

At B, amount of charge, q B = −2.5 × 10 − 7 C
Total charge of the system, q = q A + q B = (2.5 × 10 7 C) – (2.5 × 10 − 7
C) = 0
Distance between two charges at points A and B,
d = (15 + 15) = 30 cm = 0.3 m
Electric dipole moment of the system is given by, p
= (q A × d) = (q B × d) = (2.5 × 10 − 7 × 0.3) = 7.5 × 10 − 8 C m along
positive z-axis

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Therefore, the electric dipole moment of the system is 7.5 × 10 − 8 C

m along positive z−axis.

Question 10.
An electric dipole with dipole moment 4 × 10 – 9 C m is aligned at 30°
with the direction of a uniform electric field of magnitude 5 × 10 4
NC – 1 . Calculate the magnitude of the torque acting on the dipole.
Answer:
Given:
Electric dipole moment, p = 4 × 10 − 9 C m
Angle made by p with a uniform electric field, θ = 30°
Electric field, E = 5 × 10 4 N C − 1
Torque acting on the dipole is given by the relation, τ = p E sinθ
= (4 × 10 − 9 × 5 × 10 4 × sin 30 0 )
= (20 × 10 − 5 × (1/2))
= 10 − 4 Nm
Therefore, the magnitude of the torque acting on the dipole is 10 − 4
N m.

Question 11.
A polythene piece rubbed with wool is found to have a negative
charge of 3 × 10 – 7 C.
(a) Estimate the number of electrons tr ansferred (from which to
which?)
(b) Is there a transfer of mass from wool to polythene?
Answer:
When polythene is rubbed against wool, a number of electrons get

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

transferred from wool to polythene. Hence, wool becomes

positively charged and polythene becomes negatively charged.
Amount of charge on the polythene piece, q = −3 × 10 − 7 C
Amount of charge on an electron, e = −1.6 × 10 − 1 9 C
Number of electrons transferred from wool to polythene = n
n can be calculated using the relation, q = (ne)
n = (q/e) = (−3 × 10 − 7 )/ (−1.6 × 10 − 1 9 )
= 1.87 × 10 1 2
Therefore, the number of electrons transferred from wool to
polythene is 1.87 × 10 1 2
b) Yes. There is a tra nsfer of mass taking place. This is because an
electron has mass,
m e = 9.1 × 10 − 3 kg
Total mass transferred to polythene from wool, m = (m e × n)
= (9.1 × 10 − 3 1 × 1.85 × 10 1 2 )
= 1.706 × 10 − 1 8 kg
Hence, a negligible amount of mass is transferred from wool to
polythene.

Question 12.
(a) Two insulated charged copper spheres A and B have their
centres separated by a distance of 50 cm. What is the mutual force
of electrostatic repulsion if the charge on each is 6.5 × 10 – 7 C? The
radii of A and B are negligibl e compared to the distance of
separation.

(b) What is the force of repulsion if each sphere is charged double

the above amount, and the distance between them is halved?

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Answer:
(a) Charge on sphere A, q A = 6.5 × 10 − 7 C

Charge on sphere B, q B = 6.5 × 10 − 7 C

Distance between the spheres, r = 50 cm = 0.5 m
Force of repulsion between the two spheres
F = ((1/4πε 0 )). ((q A q B )/r 2 )
Where, ε 0 = Permittivity of free space and (1/4πε 0 ) = 9 × 10 9
Nm 2 C − 2
Therefore, F = (9 × 10 9 × (6.5 × 10 − 7 ) 2 )/ ((0.5) 2 )
= 1.52 × 10 − 2 N
Therefore, the force between the two spheres is 1.52 × 10 − 2 N.
(b) After doubling the charge,

Charge on sphere A, q A = 1.3 × 10 − 6 C

Charge on sphere B, q B = 1.3 × 10 − 6 C
The distance between the spheres is halved.
∴ r = (0.5)/ (2)
= 0.25 m
Force of repulsion between the two spheres,
F = ((1/4πε 0 )). ((q A q B )/r 2 )
= (9 × 10 9 × 1.3 × 10 − 6 × 1.3 × 10 − 6 )/ ((0.25) 2 )
= (16 × 1.52 × 10 − 2 )
= 0.243 N
Therefore, the force between the two spheres is 0.243 N.

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Question 13.
Suppose the spheres A and B in Exercise 1.12 have identical sizes. A
third sphere of the same size but uncharged is brought in contact
with the first, then brought in contact with the second, and finally
removed from both. What is the new force of repulsion between A
and B?
Answer:
Distance between the spheres, A and B, r = 0.5 m
Initially, the charge on each sphere, q = 6.5 × 10 − 7 C
When sphere A is touched with an uncharged sphere C, (q/2)
amount of charge from A will transfer to sphere C. Hence, charge
on each of the spheres, A and C, is (q/2).
When sphere C with charge (q/2) is brought in contact with sphere
B with charge q, total charges on the system will divide into two
equal halves given as,
(1/2)(q + (q/2)) = (3q/4)
Hence, charge on each of the spheres, C and B, is (3q/4).
Force of repulsion between sphere A having charge (q/2) and
sphere B having charge (3q/4) is
F = ((1)/ (4πε 0 )). ((q A q B )/r 2 ) = ((1)/ (4πε 0 )). ((q/2) x (3q/4))/ (r 2 )
= ((1)/ (4πε 0 )). ((3q 2 )/ (8r 2 )) = (9 × 10 9 × 3 x (6.5 x 10 - 7 ) 2 )/ (8 x
(0.5) 2 )
= 5.703 × 10 − 3 N
Therefore, the force of attraction between the two spheres is
5.703 × 10 − 3 N.

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Question 14.
Figure 1.33 shows tracks of three charged particles in a uniform
electrostatic field. Give the signs of the three charges. Which
particle has the highest charge to mass ratio?

Answer:
Opposite charges attract each other and same charges repel each
other. It can be observed that particles 1 and 2 both move towards
the positively charged plate and repel away from the negatively
charged plate.
Hence, these two particles are negati vely charged. It can also be
observed that particle 3 moves towards the negatively charged
plate and repels away from the positively charged plate.
Hence, particle 3 is positively charged.
The charge to mass ratio (emf) is directly proportional to the
displacement or amount of deflection for a given velocity. Since
the deflection of particle 3 is the maximum, it has the highest
charge to mass ratio.

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Question 15.
Consider a uniform electric field E = 3 × 10 3 î N/C.
(a) What is the flux of this field throu gh a square of 10 cm on a
side whose plane is parallel to the yz plane?
(b) What is the flux through the same square if the normal to its
plane makes a 60° angle with the x -axis?
Answer:
Given:
Electric field intensity, E = 3 × 10 3 î N/C
Magnitude of electric field intensity, |E| = 3 × 10 3 N/C
Side of the square, s = 10 cm = 0.1 m
Area of the square, A = s 2 = 0.01 m 2
The plane of the square is parallel to the y -z plane. Hence, angle
between the unit vector normal to the plane and electric field, θ =
0°
Flux (φ) through the plane is given by the relation,
φ = |E|A cos θ
= (3 × 10 3 × 0.01 × cos 0°)
= 30 N m 2 /C
(b) Plane makes an angle of 60° with the x – axis. Hence, θ = 60°
Flux, φ = |E|A cos θ
= (3 × 10 3 × 0.01 × cos 60°)
= (30 × (1/2))
= 15 Nm 2 /C

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Question 16.
What is the net flux of the uniform electric field of Exercise 1.15
through a cube of side 20 cm oriented so that its faces are parallel
to the coordinate planes?
Answer:
All the faces of a cube are parallel to the coordinate axes.
Therefore, the number of field lines entering the cube is equal to
the number of field lines piercing out of the cube. As a result, net
flux through the cube is zero.

Question 17.
Careful measurement of the electric field at the surface of a black
box indicates that the net outward flux through the surface of the
box is 8.0 × 10 3 Nm 2 /C.
(a) What is the net charge inside the box?
(b) If the net outward flux through the surface of the box were
zero, could you conclude that there were no charges inside the
box? Why or Why not?
Answer:
(a) Net outward flux through the surface of the box, φ = 8.0 × 10 3 N
m 2 /C

For a body containing net charge q, flux is given by the relation,

φ = (q/ε 0 ) where, ε 0 = Permittivity of free space
= 8.854 × 10 − 1 2 N − 1 C 2 m − 2
q = (ε 0 φ)
= (8.854 × 10 − 1 2 × 8.0 × 10 3 ) C
= 7.08 × 10 − 8 C

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= 0.07 μC
Therefore, the net charge inside the box is 0.07 μC.
(b) No. Net flux piercing out through a body depends on the net
charge contained in the body. If net flux is zero, then it can be
inferred that net charge inside the body is zero. The body may have
equal amount of positive and negative charges.

Question 18.
A point charge +10 μC is a distance 5 cm directly above the centre
of a square of side 10 cm, as shown in Fig. 1.34. What is the
magnitude of the electric flux through the square? (Hint: Think of
the square as one face of a cube with edge 10 cm.)

Answer:
The square can be considered as one face of a cube of edge 10 cm
with a centre where charge q is placed. According to Gauss’s
theorem for a cube, total electric flux is through all its six faces.
φ Total =(q/ε 0 )
Hence, electric flux through one face of the cube i.e., through the
square is
φ = (φ Total )/ (6)
= (1/6) (q/ ε 0 )

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Where,
ε 0 = Permittivity of free space = 8.854 × 10 − 1 2 N − 1 C 2 m − 2
q = 10 μC = 10 × 10 − 6 C
∴ φ = ((1/6) (10 × 10 − 6 )) / ((8.854 x10 − 1 2 ))
=1.88 × 10 5 N m 2 C − 1
Therefore, electric flux through the square is 1.88 × 10 5 N m 2 C − 1

Question 19.
A point charge of 2.0 μC is at the centre of a cubic Gaussian
surface 9.0 cm on edge. What is the net electric flux through the
surface?
Answer:
Net electric flux (φ Net ) through the cubic surface is given by

φ Net = (q/ε 0 )
Where, ε 0 = Permittivity of free space = 8.854 × 10 − 1 2 N − 1 C 2 m − 2
q = Net charge contained inside the cube = 2.0 μC = 2 × 10 − 6 C
∴ φ Net = (2 × 10 − 6 )/(8.854 × 10 − 1 2 )
= 2.26 × 10 5 N m 2 C − 1
The net electric flux through the surface is 2.26 ×10 5 N m 2 C − 1 .

Question 20.
A point charge causes an electric flux of –1.0 × 10 3 Nm 2 /C to pass
through a spherical Gaussian surface of 10.0 cm radius centred on
the charge.
(a) If the radius of the Gaussian surface were doubled, how much
flux would pass through the surface?
(b) What is the value of the point charge?

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Answer:
(a) Electric flux, Φ = −1.0 × 10 3 N m 2 /C
Radius of the Gaussian surface, r = 10.0 cm
Electric flux piercing out through a surface depends on the net
charge enclosed inside a body. It does not depend on the size of
the body. If the radius of the Gaussian surfac e is doubled, then the
flux passing through the surface remains the same i.e., −10 3 N
m 2 /C.
(b) Electric flux is given by the relation
φ = (q/ε 0 )
Where,
ε 0 = Permittivity of free space = 8.854 × 10 − 1 2 N − 1 C 2 m − 2
q = Net charge enclosed by the spherical surf ace = (φε 0 )
= (−1.0 × 10 3 × 8.854 × 10 − 1 2 )
= − (8.854 × 10 − 9 ) C
= −8.854 nC
Therefore, the value of the point charge is −8.854 nC.

Question 21.
A conducting sphere of radius 10 cm has an unknown charge. If the
electric field 20 cm from the centre of the sphere is 1.5 × 10 3 N/C
and points radially inward, what is the net charge on the sphere?
Answer:
Electric field intensity (E) at a distance (d) from the centre of a
sphere containing net charge q is given by the relation,
E = (1/4πε 0 ). (q)/ (d 2 )
Where, q = Net charge = 1.5 × 10 3 N/C

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d = Distance from the centre = 20 cm = 0.2 m

ε 0 = Permittivity of free space and (1/4πε 0 ) = 9 × 10 9 Nm 2 C − 2
Therefore, q = (E (4πε0) d 2 ) = (1.5 × 10 3 )/ (9 × 10 9 ) = 6.67 × 10 9 C =
6.67 nC Therefore, the net charge on the sphere is 6.67 nC.

Question 22.
A uniformly charged conducting sphere of 2.4 m diameter has a
surface charge density of 80.0 μC/m 2 .
(a) Find the charge on the sphere.
(b) What is the total electric flux leavin g the surface of the
sphere?
Answer:
(a) Diameter of the sphere, d = 2.4 m

Radius of the sphere, r = 1.2 m

Surface charge density, σ = 80.0 μC/m 2 = 80 × 10 − 6 C/m 2
Total charge on the surface of the sphere,
Q = Charge density × Surface area
= (σ × 4πr 2 ) = (80 × 10 − 6 × 4 × 3.14 × (1.2) 2 ) = 1.447 × 10 − 3 C
Therefore, the charge on the sphere is 1.447 × 10 − 3 C.
(b) Total electric flux (φ Total ) leaving out the surface of a sphere
containing net charge Q is given by the relation,
φ Total =(Q/ε 0 )
Where,
ε 0 = Permittivity of free space = 8.854 × 10 − 1 2 N−1C 2 m − 2
Q = 1.447 × 10 − 3 C
∴ φ Total = (1.447 × 10 − 3 )/(8.854 × 10 − 1 2 ) = 1.63 × 10 8 N C − 1 m 2

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Class 12 Physics | Electric Charges and Fields | NCERT Solutions

Therefore, the total electric flux leaving the surface of the sphere
is 1.63 × 10 8 N C − 1 m 2

Question 23.
An infinite line charge produces a field of 9 × 10 4 N/C at a distance
of 2 cm. Calculate the linear charge density.
Answer:
Electric field produced by the infinite line charges at a distance d
having linear charge density λ is given by the relation,
E = (λ)/ (2πε 0 d)
⇒ λ = (2πε 0 dE)
Where, d = 2 cm = 0.02 m
E = 9 × 10 4 N/C
ε 0 = Permittivity of free space and (1/4πε 0 ) = 9 × 10 9 Nm 2 C − 2
Therefore, λ = (0.02 × 9 × 10 4 )/ (2 × 9 × 10 9 )
= (10) μC/m
Therefore, the linear charge density is (10) μC/m.

Question 24.
Two large, thin metal plates are parallel and close to each other.
On their inner faces, the plates have surface charge densities of
opposite signs and of magnitude 17.0 × 10 – 2 2 C/m 2 .
What is E:
(a) in the outer region of the first plate,
(b) in the outer region of the second plate, and
(c) between the plates?

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Answer:
Consider the figure:

A and B are two parallel plates close to each other. Outer region of
plate A is labelled as I, outer region of plate B is labelled as III, and
the region between the plates, A and B, is labelled as II.
Charge density of plate A, σ = 17.0 × 10 − 2 2 C/m 2
Charge density of plate B, σ = −17.0 × 10 − 2 2 C/m 2
In the regions, I and III, electric field E is zero. This is because
charge is not enclosed by the respective plates.
Electric field E in region II is given by the relation,
E = (σ/ε 0 )
Where,
ε 0 = Permittivity of free space = 8.854 × 10 − 1 2 N − 1 C 2 m − 2
E = (17.0 × 10 − 2 2 )/ (8.854 × 10 − 1 2 )
= 1.92 × 10 − 1 0 N/C
Therefore, electric field between the plates is 1. 92 × 10 − 1 0 N/C.
**********

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