Physics II

Gauss Law
Syeilendra Pramuditya

Physics Study Program

Institut Teknologi Bandung

Carl Friedrich Gauss

German Mathematician and

Physicist (1777 - 1855)

The Flux

Flux id the scalar (or dot) product of an area and

the field across that area

Flux of an Electric Field

Gauss Law

Gauss law relates net flux through Gaussian surface and

net enclosed charge
We know the net flux we know the net enclosed charge
We know the net enclosed charge we know the net flux

Gauss Law
Four Gaussian surfaces

Surface S1: all-outward electric field

positive flux positive net
enclosed charge
Surface S2: all-inward electric field
negative flux negative net
enclosed charge
Surface S3: zero net enclosed
charge zero net flux
Surface S4: zero net enclosed
charge zero net flux

Gauss and Coulomb Laws: Relation?

Both describe the relation between electric charge and electric field

Charged Isolated Conductor

A lump of metal with charge of +q

Where is the charge?
Gaussian surface just inside the real
surface
No electrical current inside no moving
conduction electrons no electrical field
Electric field inside a conductor is
ALWAYS zero
E = 0 MUST be zero
= 0 qenc MUST be zero
Charge in a conductor ALWAYS lies
on its surface

Isolated Conductor with a Cavity

Where is the charge?

Gaussian surface inside the cavity
We already know: E = 0 inside a
conductor
E = 0 MUST be zero
= 0 qenc MUST be zero
There is NEVER a net charge on
cavity wall inside a conductor

10

External Electric Field

How is the electric field outside?

Spherical conductor charge is uniformly distributed (uniform )

All other geometries charge is NOT uniformly distributed (nonuniform )

Draw a cylindrical Gaussian surface

Internal end cap E = 0

Internal curved surface E = 0
External curved surface E = 0
External end cap E is NOT zero