E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1

Lecture Notes 16
Gauss’s law and applications
2.3.2 Gauss Law
ds Solid angle: Let ds denote an element of
P1 P1

Ds dso surface area. Join all the points of the

ddd boundary of ds to ‘O’ thereby forming a
P
cone. Draw a sphere of radius ‘r’ with center
‘O’ and let dso denote the area at that

r position at this sphere which is cut by the

cone with radius ‘r’. Then the solid angle dΩ

Unit radius sphere dΩ subtended at ‘O’ by the surface element ds is

the area cutout on the unit sphere with centre
O
Fig. 2.7 ‘O’ by the cone ds.

From the above figure

A.B = AB cos θ
dso = ds cosθ ∴ lr. ln= lrln cos θ
= lr.ln ds ∴ lr. 1n = cosθ

Also the area

dsO dΩ
2
= 2
4π r 4π (1)
4π dso
∴ dΩ =
4π r 2
Now ln ds is a vector whose direction is normal to plane of ds.

lr .ds
∴ dΩ = ds = 1nds
r2
Thus the solid angle subtended by the surface at ‘O’ is

Ir.ds
Ω =
r2∫
The unit in which solid angle is measured is steradin.
For a closed surface the solid angle is given by

(i) at an internal point = the whole area of unit sphere

= 4π
(ii) at an external point = zero

B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.

E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1
Lecture Notes 16
Gauss Law: Gauss Law states that the total flux emerging from a closed surface ‘s’ is
equal to the charge enclosed by the surface. The surface over which the integral is taken
is called g accession surface.
i.e. ∫ D • ds = Q
Proof:
Fig. 2.8

Let ‘Q’ be the point a closed surface ‘S’. Let P be

a point on the surface contained within flux
density at the point P.

Now D = ∈ E
Q
=∈ Ir
4π ∈ r 2
Q
= Ir
4π r 2

The flux passing through the element ds is dψ = D.ds

∴ The total flux passing through the surface 5 is

ψ = ∫ D.ds
S

Q
= ∫ 4π r
S
2 r
l .ds

Q I r .ds
4π ∫S r 2
=

Q
4π ∫ S
= dΩ (from solid angle)
Since point ‘P’ is inside the closed surface
∫ dΩ = 4π
S

Q
∴ψ= .4π = 0
4π

Then ∫ D.ds =Q

If instead of point charge at ‘P’ it is assumed that a volume distribution of charge density
ρv is contained then gauss law may be expressed as
∫ D.ds
S
= ∫ρ
V
d
V. v

B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.

E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1
Lecture Notes 16
Application Of Gauss Law For Some Symmetrical Charge Distribution
From Gauss Law

Q= ∫ D .ds
S
s

Ds can be determined if the charge distribution is known.

A closed surface has to be chosen which satisfied the two conditions.
1. Ds is every where either normal or tangential li the closed surface so that Ds.ds
becomes either Dsds or zero resply.
2. On that portion of the closed surface for which Ds.ds is not zero Ds = constant.

Case1: consider a point charge ‘Q’ at the origin of a spherical surface co-ordinates
system. Consider a spherical surface centered at origin and radius r. Ds is everywhere
normal li the surface. Ds has the same value at all points on the surface.
Then
Q = ∫ D.ds = ∫ D.ds
S Sph
2π π
= Ds ∫ D.ds = Ds ∫ ∫ r2sinθ dθ dφ
O O
Sph
2
= 4πr Ds.
Q Q
∴ Ds = 2
ar & E = ar
4π r 4π ∈ r 2
Case 2 : Consider a uniform line charge distribution ρl lying along z.axis. and extending
from - ∞ li t IE is know that for a uniform line charge only the radial component of D is
present.

Figure:

A cylindrical surface can be choosen to which Dr is every where normal A closed right
circular cylinder of radius ‘r’ extending from z=0 to z >l is shown in figure applying
gauss law.

Q = ∫ Ds.ds = ∫
c 41
Top
Ds.ds + ∫
sides
Ds.ds + ∫
Bottom
Ds.ds

= Ds ∫ ds + 0 + 0
sides
π L 2
= Ds ∫ ∫ r dφ dz
O O

= Ds 2 π r l
Q
= Dr =
2π rL
In terms of charge density Q = SLL.
ρL L ρL
∴ Ds = E= aρ
2π rL 2π ∈ r

B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.

E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1
Lecture Notes 16
4. By using Gauss law develop on expression for electric field intensity in the dielectric
medium between concentric spherical conductor having radius R1 & R2 charged with +Q
and Q coulombs respectively.

R2

Q Q
4π ∈o r12 4π ∈o r 2
E

-Q

r
Q
4π ∈o r2 2

Solution: Assume that charges are uniformly distributed our spn sheets.
(i) for r < R1
∫ D.ds = Q
Since no charge is enclosed
∫ D.ds = 0
∈o ∫ E.ds =0
∴E=0 r < R1

(ii) For R1 ≤ r ≤ R2
For r ≥ R1
β D.ds = Q
is ∈ oE4πr2 = Q
Q
∴E= 2
R1 ≤ r ≤ R2
4π ∈o r

Q
& E= at r = R1
4π ∈o r 2

(iii) For r ≥ R1
At any point out side both the shells charge enclosed is +Q – Q = 0
B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.
E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1
Lecture Notes 16
∴E=0 r > R2
∴E=0 r < R1
Q
E= r = R1
4π ∈o r 2

Q
E= R1 ≤ r ≤ R2
4π ∈o r 2
Q
E= r = R2
4π ∈o r 2
E=0 at r > R2

5. A charge at +Q coulombs is distributed uniformly throughout the volume of a sphere

of radius R meter. Find E everywhere.
Solution

+Q

Rrrr

0 R

(i) r<R
Since charge Q is uniformly distributed ever the entire volume. The charge
enclosed by a concentric sphere of radius r < R is propagation to volume of radius r.

4 3
Is Qr α
3
πr ∫ D.ds =Q
4 2π π
But Q α π r 3
3 ∫ ∫
0 0
D r2 sinθ dodv = α
3
Qr  r 
∴ =  D u π r2
Q R

From gauss law

B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.

E M Waves and Transmission Lines Unit 1
Lecture Notes 16
∫ D.ds = Q
∈ ∫ E.ds = Qr
o

Qr
∴E=
4π ∈o r 2
1 r3 Qr
= .Q = ar
4π ∈o r 2 R3 4π ∈o R 3

Thus E increases with r and reaches the maximum at r = R.

∴ E at the surface at r = R

Qr Qr
E= 3
= ar
4π ∈o R 4π ∈o R 2
For r > R

∫ D.ds
Is ∈ oE4πr2 = Q

Q
∴E= ar
4π ∈o r 2
Qr
Thus E = ar r < R
4π ∈o R 3
Qr
= ar r = R
4π ∈o R 2

Qr
= ar r > R
4π ∈o R 2

B. I .Neelgr, ECE, GMRIT.