Electric Field and

Charges
Module 4 of 5
Class: XII
Subject: Physics
Month: April
 Contents
 Gauss’ Law
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special Cases
 Electric Field Intensity due to a Uniformly Charged Infinitely
Long Straight Conductor
 Electric Field Intensity due to a Uniformly Charged Infinite
Plane Sheet
 Gauss’ Law
 According to Gauss’ Law, the total electric flux through any
1
closed surface is equal to times the total electric charge
𝜀0
enclosed by the surface.
 The closed surface enclosing the total electric charge is called
the Gaussian surface.
 It is given mathematically as,
1
ϕ𝐸 = ∮𝑆 𝐸 . 𝑑𝑆 = ×q
∈0

 It gives the mathematical relation between the electric field

intensity and the total charge enclosed within the Gaussian
surface.
Mathematical Derivation of Gauss’ Law
 Let us consider a point charge q placed at the center of a
spherical Gaussian surface of radius r.

 The electric field intensity due to the point charge q at a

distance r from it would be
1 𝑞
𝐸=
4𝜋 ∈0 𝑟 2
Mathematical Derivation of Gauss’ Law
 The direction of the electric field intensity would be away from
the point charge. This is because the electric field intensity due
to a positive point charge is always directed away from it.
 Now, consider a small area element dS on the Gaussian surface.
Its outward normal is called 𝑑𝑆.
 As 𝐸 and 𝑑𝑆 are parallel to each other, the angle between them
𝜃 will be zero.
 Further,
𝜑 = ර 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆

As per the dot product rule,

𝜑 = ර 𝐸𝑑𝑆 cos 𝜃
Mathematical Derivation of Gauss’ Law
Also,
1 𝑞
𝐸=
4𝜋 ∈0 𝑟 2
As θ = 0o,
1 𝑞 1 𝑞
ϕ𝐸 = ර 𝐸𝑑𝑆 cos 0 = 2
𝑑𝑆 = 2
ර 𝑑𝑆
4𝜋 ∈0 𝑟 4𝜋 ∈0 𝑟

 Here, ∮ 𝑑𝑆 means the total surface area of the Gaussian surface

of radius r which is equal to 4𝜋𝑟 2 .
1 𝑞 2
ϕ𝐸 = × 4𝜋𝑟
4𝜋 ∈0 𝑟 2
1
ϕ𝐸 = ×𝑞
∈0
which is the expression of Gauss’ law in electrostatics.
Mathematical Derivation of Gauss’ Law
 Here, it is important to note that the electric flux through the
Gaussian surface enclosing the total charge does not depend
upon the radius of the Gaussian surface and the location of the
charge inside the Gaussian surface.
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
1. If the Gaussian surface does not enclose any charge i.e. q =
0.
Then the equation becomes,
1
ϕ𝐸 = ×𝑞
∈0
Here, q = 0. Therefore,
1
ϕ𝐸 = ×0=0
∈0
Thus, the electric flux through a Gaussian surface containing no
charge will be zero.
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
2. If the Gaussian surface encloses two point charges of equal
magnitude but opposite nature.
Then the net charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface will be,
𝑞𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑞 + −𝑞 = 0

Hence, the equation becomes,

1 1
ϕ𝐸 = × 𝑞𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ×0=0
∈0 ∈0

This result can be applied to the case of an electric dipole

enclosed by a Gaussian surface. The electric flux through the
Gaussian surface will be zero.
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
3. Electric Field Intensity due to a Uniformly Charged Infinitely
Long Straight Conductor

In the case of a uniformly charged infinitely long straight

conductor, we consider the linear charge density of the conductor.
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
The linear charge density of a conductor is defined as the charge
per unit length of the conductor. It is denoted by 𝜆.

𝑞 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟

𝜆= =
𝑙 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
Therefore,

𝑞 = 𝜆𝑙

Hence, the total charge on the conductor will be 𝜆𝑙.

 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
In order to calculate the electric field intensity due to a line
charge, we assume a Gaussian surface in the shape of a cylinder of
radius r and length l such that it encloses a portion of the line
charge.

No electric flux is contributed by the two circular caps of the

cylinder as the angle between 𝐸 and 𝑑𝑆 is 90o.
ϕ𝐸 = ∫𝑐𝑎𝑝 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = ∫𝑐𝑎𝑝 𝐸𝑑𝑆 cos 90 = 0

The electric flux is contributed only by the two curved surfaces of

the cylinder as the angle between 𝐸 and 𝑑𝑆 on the curved surfaces
of the cylinder is 0o.
ϕ𝐸 = ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑆 cos 0 = ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑆
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
Hence, the total electric flux over the cylindrical Gaussian surface
will be,
ϕ𝐸 = ර 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆

ϕ𝐸 = ∫𝑐𝑎𝑝 𝐸Ԧ ∙ 𝑑𝑆 + ∫𝑐𝑎𝑝 𝐸Ԧ ∙ 𝑑𝑆 + ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸Ԧ ∙ 𝑑𝑆 + ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸Ԧ ∙ 𝑑𝑆

ϕ𝐸 = 0 + 0 + ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑆 + ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑆

According to the principle of homogeneity of dimensions,

Electric flux + Electric flux = Electric flux
∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑆 + ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑆 = ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑆
Therefore,
ϕ𝐸 = ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑆
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
As E is constant, it can be taken out of the integral.
ϕ𝐸 = ∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑑𝑆 = 𝐸∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑆

∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑆 denotes the total area of the curved surface of the

cylindrical Gaussian surface which is equal to 2𝜋𝑟𝑙.
ϕ𝐸 = 𝐸∫𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐸 × 2𝜋𝑟𝑙 (1)

But according to Gauss’ law,

1
ϕ𝐸 = ∮𝑆 𝐸 . 𝑑𝑆 = ×𝑞
∈0

As 𝑞 = 𝜆𝑙,
1
ϕ𝐸 = ∮𝑆 𝐸 . 𝑑𝑆 = × 𝜆𝑙 (2)
∈0
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
From equations (1) and (2), we get
1
𝐸 × 2𝜋𝑟𝑙 = × 𝜆𝑙
∈0
1 𝜆
𝐸=
2𝜋 ∈0 𝑟

On multiplying and dividing the above equation by 2 we get,

2𝜆 2𝑘𝜆
𝐸= =
4𝜋 ∈0 𝑟 𝑟
where, k is 9 x 109 N m2 C-2.
Thus, for a line charge, the electric field intensity is inversely
proportional to the distance from the line charge.
1
𝐸∝
𝑟
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
3. Electric Field Intensity due to a Uniformly Charged Infinite
Plane Sheet

In the case of a uniformly charged infinite plane sheet, we

consider the surface charge density of the plane sheet.
The surface charge density is used for two dimensional geometries
and is defined as the total charge present per unit area of the
plane sheet. It is denoted by σ.
𝑞
σ=
𝐴
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
𝑞 = σA (1)
Thus, the total charge present on the plane sheet is σA.
In order to calculate the electric field intensity at a distance r
from the plane sheet, we assume a cylindrical Gaussian surface
with cross-sectional area A, length 2r and its axis perpendicular to
the plane sheet.
Let S1 and S2 be the area of the two circular faces of the
cylindrical Gaussian surface and S3 and S4 be the area of the two
curved faces of the cylindrical Gaussian surface.
Total electric flux passing through the cylindrical Gaussian surface
can be given as,
ϕ𝐸 = ර 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆

ϕ𝐸 = ∫𝑆1 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 + ∫𝑆2 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 + ∫𝑆3 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 + ∫𝑆4 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆

 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
No electric flux is contributed by the two curved faces S3 and S4 as
the angle between 𝐸 and 𝑑𝑆 is 90o. Hence,
∫𝑆3 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = ∫𝑆4 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 = ∫ 𝐸𝑑𝑆 cos 90 = 0

The electric flux is contributed only by the two circular surfaces S1

and S2 as the angle between 𝐸 and 𝑑𝑆 is 0o. Hence,
ϕ𝐸 = ∫𝑆1 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 + ∫𝑆2 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑆 + 0 + 0
ϕ𝐸 = ∫𝑆1 𝐸𝑑𝑆 cos 0 + ∫𝑆2 𝐸𝑑𝑆 cos 0 = ∫𝑆1 𝐸𝑑𝑆 + ∫𝑆2 𝐸𝑑𝑆
ϕ𝐸 = 𝐸∫𝑆1 𝑑𝑆 + 𝐸∫𝑆2 𝑑𝑆
Since the area of both the circular faces is same i.e. S1 = S2,
ϕ𝐸 = 2𝐸 ∫ 𝑑𝑆 = 2𝐸𝐴 (2)
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
Using Gauss’ law,
total charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface
ϕ𝐸 =
∈0

From equation (1) and (2) we have,

σA
2𝐸𝐴 =
𝜀0
Therefore,
σ
𝐸=
2𝜀0

Thus, the electric field intensity due to a uniformly charged

infinite plane sheet is independent of the distance from the plane
sheet.
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
5. If two identical plane sheets having the same magnitude and
nature of surface charge density are placed parallel to each
other.

Then there is no electric field in the region between the two

plane sheets.

In order to prove this, let us consider a point P in the region

between the two plane sheets.
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
The electric field intensity at point P due to the first plane sheet
would be
σ
𝐸1 =
2𝜀0
which is directed away from the first plane sheet.

The electric field intensity at point P due to the second plane

sheet would be
σ
𝐸2 =
2𝜀0
which is directed away from the second plane sheet.
 Application of Gauss’ Law for Special
Cases
According to the principle of superposition, the net electric field
intensity at point P would be,
𝐸 = 𝐸1 − 𝐸2

Thus, the magnitude of net electric field intensity at point P is

given as,
σ σ
𝐸= − =0
2𝜀0 2𝜀0

Therefore, a test charge will not experience any electrostatic

force if placed at any point in the region between the two plane
sheets.