1 Physics Chapter 1

APPLICATION OF GAUSS’S LAW

FIELD DUE TO AN INFINITY LONG CHARGED WIRE

Consider a thin infinity long straight wire having a uniform linear charge density λ. We
choose a cylindrical Gaussian surface of radius r , length l and width its axis along the line
charge. Let S1 be the curved surface and S2 and S3 be the flat ends. Only the curved surface
contributes towards the total flux.

∅ = ∮ 𝐸⃗ ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑠 + ∮ 𝐸⃗ ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑠 + ∮ 𝐸⃗ ∙ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑠
𝑠1 𝑠2 𝑠3

∅ = ∮ 𝐸 𝑑𝑆1 cos 0° + ∮ 𝐸 𝑑𝑆2 cos 90° + ∮ 𝐸 𝑑𝑆3 cos 90°

𝑠1 𝑠2 𝑠3

∅ = 𝐸 ∮ 𝑑𝑠1
𝑠1

∅ = 𝐸. 2𝜋𝑟𝑙 ---------①

Charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface , q= λl

Using Gauss’s theorem

𝑞 λl
∅=𝜀 =𝜀 ------------②
𝑜 𝑜

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Equating ②&① we get

λl
𝐸. 2𝜋𝑟𝑙 = 𝜀
𝑜

λ
𝐸=
2𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟

ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO UNIFORMLY CHARGED INFINITE PLANE SHEET

Consider a thin, infinite plane sheet of charge with uniform surface charge density σ. Let P
be a point at distance r from it. We choose cylindrical Gaussian surface of cross sectional
area A and length 2r with its axis perpendicular to the sheet.

As the field lines are parallel to the curved surface of the cylinder, the flux through the
curved surface is zero. The flux through the plane end faces of the cylinder is

Φ =2EA -----1

Change enclosed by the Gaussian surface , q = σA

According to gauss’s theorem

𝑞 𝜎𝐴
∅=𝜀 = 𝜀𝑜
------2
𝑜

Equating eq. 1 and 2 , we get

𝜎𝐴
2𝐸𝐴 =
𝜀𝑜

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𝜎
𝐸=
2𝜀𝑜

NOTE: (i) If the sheet is positively charged the field is directed away from
it.
(ii) If the sheet is negatively charged the field is directed towards it.

FIELD DUE TO A UNIFORMLY CHARGED THIN SPHERICAL SHELL

Consider a thin spherical shell of radius R and uniform surface charge density σ. Let P be a
point at a distance r from O we choose a concentric sphere of radius r as the Gaussian
surface.

CASE 1 When P is outside the shell

The total charge q inside the Gaussian surface is the charge on the shell of radius R and
area 4πR2

q = 4πR2 σ

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flux through the Gaussian surface

∅ = 𝑬. 𝟒𝝅𝒓𝟐 ------1
By gauss’s law

𝑞 4𝜋𝑟 2
∅= = ------2
𝜀𝑜 𝜀𝑜

On equating eq. 1 & 2 we get

4𝜋𝑅 2 𝜎
𝐸. 4𝜋𝑟 2 =
𝜀𝑜
𝑅2𝜎 1 𝑞
𝐸= OR 𝐸=
𝑟 2𝜀 𝑜 4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟 2

NOTE: The field is same as that produced by a charge q placed at the centre O. hence
for all points outside the shell the field due to uniformly charged shell is as if the entire
charge of the shell is concentrated at its centre.

CASE 2 When point P lies on the spherical shell.

The Gaussian surface just encloses the charged spherical shell.

Applying gauss’s theorem

𝑞
𝐸. 4𝜋𝑅 2 =
𝜀𝑜
1 𝑞
𝐸=
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑅2
𝜎
𝐸=
𝜀𝑜

CASE 3 When point p lies inside the spherical shell

In this case , the charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface is zero.

Flux through Gaussian surface

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∅ = 𝐸. 4𝜋𝑟 2 -------1

Applying Gauss’s theorem

𝑞
∅= =0 -----2
𝜀𝑜

Equating eqn. 1 & 2 we get,

E=0

NOTE: Electric field due to uniformly charged spherical shell is zero at all points inside the
shell.

Variation of electric field ‘E’ with distance r from the centre of the shell

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