Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Gauss Law: Figure 24.1. Electric Flux Through Surface Area A
Gauss Law: Figure 24.1. Electric Flux Through Surface Area A
GAUSS LAW
24.1. Introduction
The electric field of a given charge distribution can in principle be calculated using
Coulomb's law. The examples discussed in Chapter 23 showed however, that the actual
calculations can become quit complicated.
(24.3)
(24.5)
which is Coulomb's law.
(24.6)
The flux [Phi]1 through surface 1 is therefore given by
(24.7)
The amount of charge enclosed by surface 1 is given by
(24.8)
Applying Gauss' law to eq.(24.7) and eq.(24.8) we obtain
(24.9)
or
(24.10)
Note: this formula is only correct for - d/2 < x1 < d/2.
The flux [Phi]2 through surface 2 is given by
(24.11)
The charge enclosed by surface 2 is given by
(24.12)
This equation shows that the enclosed charge does not depend on x2. Applying Gauss's
law one obtains
(24.13)
or
(24.14)
distribution would not be in static equilibrium. The electric field on the surface of the
conductor is perpendicular to its surface. If this would not be the case, the free electrons
would move along the surface, and the charge distribution would not be in equilibrium.
The redistribution of the free electrons in the conductor under the influence of an external
electric field, and the cancellation of the external electric field inside the conductor is
being used to shield sensitive instruments from external electric fields.
The strength of the electric field on the surface of a conductor can be found by applying
Gauss' law (see Figure 24.4). The electric flux through the surface shown in Figure 24.4
is given by
(24.15)
where A is the area of the top of the surface shown in Figure 24.4. The flux through the
bottom of the surface shown in Figure 24.4 is zero since the electric field inside a
conductor is equal to zero. Note that eq.(24.15) is only valid close to the conductor where
the electric field is perpendicular to the surface. The charge enclosed by the surface
shown in Figure 24.4 is equal to
(24.17)
Thus, the electric filed at the surface of the conductor is given by
(24.18)