Gauss's Law, net electric flux

In summary, Gauss's Law is a fundamental law in electromagnetism that relates electric charges to the electric field they create. It states that the electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the total charge enclosed by that surface divided by the permittivity of free space. Electric flux is a measure of the number of electric field lines passing through a given surface. Gauss's Law can be used to calculate the electric field at a point by setting the electric flux equal to the total charge enclosed divided by the permittivity of free space. The net electric flux is a measure of the total electric field passing through a closed surface and can be either positive (outward flow) or negative (inward flow). However, Gauss's Law can only
  • #1
yaro99
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Homework Statement


The three small spheres shown in the figure below carry charges q1 = 4.30 nC, q2 = -7.70 nC, and q3 = 3.40 nC.

Find the net electric flux through each of the following closed surfaces shown in cross section in the figure.

Ls8AECs.png

Homework Equations


[itex]\Phi[/itex]E=[itex]\frac{Q_{encl}}{\epsilon_0}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


Using the above equation, I got the right answers for S1 through S4, but I'm getting the wrong answer for S5:
[itex]\Phi[/itex]E=[itex]\frac{Q_{encl}}{\epsilon_0}[/itex]= [itex]\frac{4.30-7.70+3.40}{\epsilon_0}[/itex]= [itex]\frac{0}{\epsilon_0}[/itex]=0
 
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  • #2
I think your answer is correct.
 

Related to Gauss's Law, net electric flux

1. What is Gauss's Law?

Gauss's Law is a fundamental law in electromagnetism that describes the relationship between electric charges and the electric field they create. It states that the electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the total charge enclosed by that surface divided by the permittivity of free space.

2. What is electric flux?

Electric flux is a measure of the number of electric field lines passing through a given surface. It is a scalar quantity and is defined as the dot product of the electric field and the surface area vector.

3. How is Gauss's Law used to calculate the electric field?

Gauss's Law can be used to calculate the electric field at a point by first choosing a closed surface that contains the charge(s) of interest. Then, the electric flux through that surface can be calculated and set equal to the total charge enclosed divided by the permittivity of free space. Solving for the electric field yields the magnitude and direction at the chosen point.

4. What is the significance of net electric flux?

The net electric flux is a measure of the total electric field passing through a closed surface. If the net electric flux is positive, it means that there is a net outward flow of electric field lines, indicating the presence of positive charge inside the surface. If the net electric flux is negative, it means there is a net inward flow of electric field lines, indicating the presence of negative charge inside the surface.

5. Can Gauss's Law be applied to any closed surface?

Gauss's Law can only be applied to closed surfaces that are "Gaussian" or symmetrical. This means that the electric field must be constant in magnitude and direction at every point on the surface. Examples of Gaussian surfaces include spheres, cubes, and cylinders. Non-Gaussian surfaces, such as irregular shapes, cannot be used with Gauss's Law.

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