You are on page 1of 50

22 Gausss Law

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 1


J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 2
Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Symmetric vs. Asymmetric


Charge distributions
Systems with symmetry Systems without symmetry

Gausss Law makes E-field Gausss Law also applies but more
calculation easier. difficult.

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 3


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

What is Gausss Law?


relationship between electric charges and electric fields

imaginary surface

What is the Electric field


Q
(on the surface)?

applicable for both continuous and discrete charge distribution

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 4


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Objectives
1. Evaluate the electric flux through a surface given the electric
field
2. Relate the electric flux thru a closed surface to the total charge
inside and outside the surface

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 5


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Electric Flux and Enclosed Charge


Note: Electric field does not flow.

points out of the surface points into of the surface


Outward electric flux Inward electric flux

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 6


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Electric Flux and Enclosed Charge


3 cases in which there is zero net charge inside a box and
no net electric flux through the surface of the box.

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 7


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Electric Flux and Enclosed Charge


Main points:
The net electric flux due to a charge distribution inside a closed surface is
independent of the size and shape of the closed surface.

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 8


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Electric Flux and Enclosed Charge


Main points:
The net electric flux due to a charge distribution inside a closed surface
depends only on the net charge inside.

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 9


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Qualitative Statements of Gausss Law


1. Whether there is a net outward or inward electric flux through a closed surface
depends on the sign of the enclosed charge.

2. Charges outside the closed surface do not give a net electric flux through
the surface.

3. The net electric flux is directly proportional to the net amount of charge
enclosed within the surface but is otherwise independent of the size of the
closed surface.

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 10


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Example:
Charge +2q is at the center of two cubes of different side lengths L and
2L as shown. The total flux through the small and big cubes are small
and big, respectively. Also Esmall and Ebig are the magnitudes of the
electric field passing through the corners of the small and big cubes,
respectively. Which of the following relations is/are true?
A. small = big; Esmall = Ebig
B. small > big; Esmall > Ebig
C. small < big; Esmall = Ebig
D. small = big; Esmall < Ebig
E. small = big; Esmall > Ebig

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 11


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

General definition of electric flux

where

Uniform Electric Field Non-uniform Electric Field

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 12


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Flux of a Uniform Electric Field


Define:

: electric flux number of field lines crossing a surface

(electric flux for uniform , flat surface)

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 13


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Note:
: unit vector perpendicular to A

Case 1. Case 2. Case 3.

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 14


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 15


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Example:
A uniform electric field given by

is incident on a flat square sheet lying on the xy-plane. If the


length of the sides is 3 m, what is the absolute value of the
electric flux through the sheet?

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 16


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Objective
1. Express Gausss law verbally and mathematically

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 17


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Gausss Law
alternative to Coulombs Law

a different way of expressing the relationship between electric charge


and electric field
formulated by Carl Friedrich Gauss
Recall:
Gausss Law
(qualitative) J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 18
Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Point Charge inside a Spherical Surface


Consider a point charge +q placed at the center of a spherical Gaussian surface with radius R.

: Outward and perpendicular to any point on the Gaussian surface

+q
R

has the same value at any point on the surface.

(Flux is independent of radius R of sphere)

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 19


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

2 spheres with radii R and 2R centered on the point charge +q

4dA

R dA
q
2R

The same number of field lines and the same flux


pass through bothJ. Manuel
of these area elements.
Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 20
Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Point Charge inside a Non-spherical Surface

For irregular surface:


If enclosed charge is positive (+q):

+q

Holds for any size or shape of closed surface

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 21


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Point Charge inside a Non-spherical Surface

For irregular surface:


If enclosed charge is negative (-q):

-q

Holds for any size or shape of closed surface

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 22


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Point Charge inside a Non-spherical Surface

For irregular surface:


If there is no enclosed charge:

Holds for any size or shape of closed surface

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 23


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

General form of Gausss Law

q q1 q2
qn

Enclosed charge
Electric field
on Gaussian surface

Electric flux

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 24


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

General form of Gausss Law

q q1 q2
qn

Gausss Law

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 25


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Example:
A positive point charge Q is located at the center of a cube of
side-length L. In addition, six other identical positive point
charges q are positioned symmetrically around Q, as shown
in the figure. What is the electric flux through one face of the
cube?

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 26


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Seatwork (for 2 minutes):


Which of the following closed surfaces has the most positive
electric flux through it?
A. S1 B. S5 C. S2 D. S3

S2 S5
S3 Legend:
+q
S4 -q
S1
J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 27
Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Homework (due tomorrow):

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 28


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Homework (due tomorrow):

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 29


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Homework (due tomorrow):

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 30


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Objective
1. Use Gausss law to calculate the electric field generated at a
point by highly symmetrical charge distributions.

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 31


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Gausss Law

valid for any distribution of charges and for any closed surface

Two applications:
1. Symmetric charge distribution + evaluate integral = electric field
2. Electric field + Gausss Law = knowledge of charge distribution
J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 32
Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

For a solid conductor

any excess charge must


reside on the surface

inside

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 33


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 34


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Seatwork (for 2 minutes):


Consider a solid spherical conductor of radius R and charge
+Q at electrostatic equilibrium shown below. Which is the
correct ranking of the Points A, B, C, and D according the
value of the electric field at their locations?

A. D > C > B > A

B. D > C > B = A

C. D = C > B = A

D. C > D > B = A
J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 35
Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 36


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 37


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 38


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Seatwork (for 3 minutes):


A Gaussian cube of side s is placed inside a uniformly charged
insulating sphere of radius 2s and charge Q. What is the
electric flux on the Gaussian cube?

A. 3Q/(32o)
Hint:
B. 32Q/(3o)

C. 3Q/(32o)

D. 32Q/(3o)
J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 39
Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 40


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Gausss Law

valid for any distribution of charges and for any closed surface

Two applications:
1. Symmetric charge distribution + evaluate integral = electric field
2. Electric field + Gausss Law = knowledge of charge distribution
J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 41
Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Objective
1. Predict the charge distribution induced on the surface of a
conductor in the presence of a static charge and external
electric field

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 42


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Charges on a conductor
For a solid conductor in electrostatic situation,

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 43


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Question:
But what if there is a cavity inside the
conductor?

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 44


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Charges on a conductor
For a conductor with internal cavity,

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 45


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Charges on a conductor
If we insert an isolated charge q inside the cavity,

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 46


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 47


Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Seatwork (for 3 minutes):


A spherical conducting shell S1 is placed inside another spherical
conducting shell S3. The space between S1 and S3 is filled by an
uncharged insulator S2. The isolated charge within the cavity is +2Q. If
the net charge of S1 is 4Q and the net charge of S3 is 4Q, what is the
net charge of the following surfaces?
Inner surface of S1
A. Q B. +Q C. +2Q D. 2Q

Outer surface of S1
A. Q B. +6Q C. +4Q D. Q

Inner surface of S3
A. 6Q B. +3Q C. +4Q D. 3Q

Outer surface of S3
A. Q B. +3Q C. +2Q
J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14
D. 4Q 48
Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Example:
A small conducting spherical shell with inner radius a and outer radius b is
concentric with a larger conducting spherical shell with inner radius c and
outer radius d. The inner shell has total charge +2q, and the
outer shell has charge +4q.

Calculate the electric field magnitude in terms of k, q and r from the


common center of the spheres.

1. r < a
2. a < r < b
3. b < r < c
4. c < r < d
5. r > d J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 49
Charge and Electric Flux
Calculating Electric Flux

22 Gausss Law
Applications of Gausss Law
Charges on Conductors

Example:
Which of the following can be true regarding the figure shown below?
I. The electric field at S is stronger than at P.
II. There is a point charge at point Q.
III. There are negative charges at point L.

A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I and III only
E. I, II and III

J. Manuel Physics 72 2nd Sem AY13-14 50

You might also like