Electromagnetism, Optics, and Nuclear Physics – PHY 302L

NAME: ______________________________________________

GUASS’ LAW

I. ELECTRIC FLUX THROUGH CLOSED SURFACES

In the tutorial Electric field and flux and in the homework, we found that the electric flux through a set of
imaginary surfaces, 𝑑𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗𝑖 , each with a uniform electric field, ⃗⃗⃗
𝐸𝑖 , can be written as:

𝜙𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗1 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗

𝐸1 ∙ 𝑑𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗2 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐸2 ∙ 𝑑𝐴 ⃗⃗⃗⃗3 + ⋯
𝐸3 ∙ 𝑑𝐴
The area vectors at each point on a closed surface (i.e., a surface that surrounds a region so that the only way
out of the region is through the surface) are chosen by convention to point out of the enclosed region. A closed
imaginary surface is called a Gaussian surface.

In the following questions, a Gaussian cylinder with radius 𝑎 and length 𝑙 is placed in various electric fields.
The end caps are labeled A and C and the side surface is labeled B. In each case, base your answer about the
net flux only on qualitative arguments about the magnitude of the flux through the end caps and side surface.

A. The Gaussian cylinder is in a uniform electric field of magnitude 𝐸, aligned with the cylinder
axis.
• Find the sign and magnitude of the flux through:
Surface A: Surface B: Surface C:

• Is the net flux through the Gaussian surface positive, negative, or zero?

B. The Gaussian cylinder encloses a negative charge. (The field from part A is removed.)
• Find the sign of the flux through:
Surface A: Surface B: Surface C:

• Is the net flux through the Gaussian surface positive, negative, or zero?

C. The Gaussian cylinder encloses a opposite charges of equal magnitude. (The charges are on
the axis of the cylinder and equidistant from the center.)
• Find the sign of the flux through:
Surface A: Surface B: Surface C:

• Is the net flux through the Gaussian surface positive, negative, or zero?

D. A positive charge is located above the Gaussian cylinder.

• Find the sign of the flux through:
Surface A: Surface B: Surface C:

• Can you tell whether the net flux through the Gaussian surface is positive, negative, or
zero? Explain.

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 Electromagnetism, Optics, and Nuclear Physics – PHY 302L

NAME: ______________________________________________

II. GAUSS’ LAW

Gauss’ law states that the electric flux through a Gaussian surface is directly proportional to the net charge
enclosed by the ( 𝜙𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 /𝜀𝑜 )

A. Are your answers to parts A-C of the previous section consistent with Gauss’s law? Explain.

B. In part D of section I, you tried to determine the sign of the flux through the Gaussian cylinder shown.

1. If you have not done so already, use Gauss’ law to determine whether the net flux
through the Gaussian surface is positive, negative, or zero. Explain.

2. If 𝜙𝐴 = −10 𝑁𝑚2 /𝐶 and 𝜙𝐶 = 2 𝑁𝑚2 /𝐶 what is 𝜙𝐸 ?

C. Find the net flux through each of the Gaussian surfaces below.

D. The three spherical Gaussian surfaces at right

each enclose a charge +𝑄𝑜 . In case C there is
another charge −6𝑄𝑜 outside the surface

Consider the following conversation:

Student 1: “ Since each Gaussian surface encloses the dame charge, the net flux through each must be the
same.”

Student 2: “Gauss’ law doesn’t apply here. The electric field at the Gaussian surface in case B is weaker
than in case A, because the surface is farther from the charge. Since the flux is proportional to the electric
field strength, the flux must also be smaller in case B.”

Student 3: “I was comparing A and C. In C the charge outside changes the field over the whole surface. The
areas are the same, so the flux must be different.

Do you agree with any of the students? Explain.

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 Electromagnetism, Optics, and Nuclear Physics – PHY 302L

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III. APPLICATION OF GAUSS’ LAW

A. A large sheet has charge density +𝜎𝑜 . A cylindrical Gaussian surface encloses a
portion of the sheet and extends a distance L0 on either side of the sheet. 𝐴1 ,
𝐴2 , and 𝐴3 are the areas of the ends and curved side, respectively. Only a
small portion of the sheet is shown.

1. On the diagram at right indicate the location of the charge enclosed by the
Gaussian cylinder.

In terms of 𝜎𝑜 and other relevant quantities, what is the net charge

enclosed by the Gaussian cylinder?

2. Sketch the electric field lines on both sides of the sheet.

Does the Gaussian cylinder affect the field lines or the charge distribution?
Explain.

3. Let 𝐸𝐿 and 𝐸𝑅 represent the magnitude of the electric field on the left and
right ends of the Gaussian surface.

How do the magnitudes of 𝐸𝐿 and 𝐸𝑅 compare? Explain.

How do the magnitudes of the areas of the ends of the Gaussian surface compare?

4. Through which of the surfaces (𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , and 𝐴3 ) is there a net flux? Explain using a sketch showing the
relative orientation of the electric field vector and the area vectors.

Write an expression for the net electric flux clone, through the cylinder in terms of the three areas
(𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , and 𝐴3 ) , 𝐸𝐿 , and 𝐸𝑅

Use the relationships between the electric fields EL and ER and between the areas 𝐴1 and 𝐴2 to
simplify your equation for the net flux.

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 Electromagnetism, Optics, and Nuclear Physics – PHY 302L

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5. Gauss' law (𝜙𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 /𝜀𝑜 ) relates the net electric flux through a Gaussian surface (which you found
in part 4) to the net charge enclosed (which you found in part 1). Use this relationship to find the
direction and magnitude of the electric field at the right end of the cylinder in terms of 𝜎𝑜 .

What is the electric field at the left end of the cylinder?

Does the electric field near a large sheet of charge depend on the distance from the sheet? Use your
results above to justify your answer.

Is your answer consistent with the electric field lines you sketched in part 2? Explain.

***Check your results with a tutorial instructor before you continue.

B. The Gaussian cylinder below encloses a portion of two identical large sheets. The charge density of the
sheet on the left is +𝜎𝑜 ; the charge density of the sheet on the right is +2𝜎𝑜 .

1. Find the net charge enclosed by the Gaussian cylinder in terms of

a, and any relevant dimensions

2. Let 𝐸𝐿 and 𝐸𝑅 be the magnitudes of the electric fields at the left

and right end caps of the Gaussian cylinder respectively.

Is 𝐸𝐿 greater than, less than, or equal to 𝐸𝑅 ? Explain.

3. Find the net flux through the Gaussian cylinder in terms of 𝐸𝐿 , 𝐸𝑅 , and any relevant dimensions.

4. Use Gauss' law to find the electric field a distance 𝐿0 , to the right of the rightmost sheet.

Are your results consistent with the results you would obtain using superposition? Explain.

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