1 Physics Chapter 1

CONTINOUS CHARGE SYSTEM

LINEAR CHARGE DENSITY (λ)

It is defined as charge per unit length

λ =q/l S.I unit =Cm-1

SURFACE CHARGE DENSITY (σ)

It is defined as the charge per unit area

σ = q/A S.I unit = Cm-2

VOLUME CHARGE DENSITY (ρ)

It is defined as the charge per unit volume

ρ = q/v S.I unit = Cm-3

GAUSS’S LAW
It stats that ,” the total flux through a closed surface is 1/εo times the net charge
enclosed by the closed surface.
𝑞
∅=
𝜀𝑜

PROOF

Consider a point charge q enclosed by a Gaussian surface S, of radius r

Electric field at any point on S is

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2 Physics Chapter 1

1 𝑞
𝐸= ∙ 2
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟

This field points radially outward at all points on S. Also, any area element points
radially outward, so its parallel to 𝐸⃗ .

∴ flux through the area element dS is

⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗ . dS
Δ∅ = E
= 𝐸 𝑑𝑆 cos 0

=E.dS

The total flux is given by

∅ = ∮ 𝐸. 𝑑𝑆
𝑠

= 𝐸 ∮ 𝑑𝑆
𝑠

= 𝐸 4𝜋𝑟 2
𝑞
= ∙ 4πr 2
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟 2
𝑞
∅=
𝜀𝑜

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3 Physics Chapter 1

COULOMB’S LAW FROM GAUSS’S

LAW
Consider a point charge q enclosed by a spherical surface s of radius r centered at
charge q as the Gaussian surface.

By symmetry, E→ has same magnitude at all points on S. Also 𝐸⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝑑𝑆 at any point
on S are directed radially outwards.

Hence, flux though area ⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝑑𝑆 is

𝑑∅ = 𝐸⃗ . ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑆

= E. dS . cos0

=E.dS

Net flux through the surface S is

∅ = 𝐸. ∮ 𝑑𝑆
𝑠

= 𝐸 .4𝜋𝑟 2 ①

Using Gauss’s theorem

𝑞
∅=𝜀 ②
𝑜

Using equation ① &② we get

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4 Physics Chapter 1

𝑞
𝐸. 4𝜋𝑟 2 =
𝜀𝑜
1 𝑞
𝐸= ∙ 2
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟

The force on the point charge qo, if placed on surface S will be

F=qo E
1 𝑞𝑞𝑜
𝐹 = 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟2
⇒ Coulomb’s Law
𝑜

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