Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

GAUSS'S LAW
Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss (30 April 1777 – 23
February 1855) was a German mathematician and

2
CHAPTER
scientist who contributed significantly to many
fields, including number theory, statistics, analysis,
differential geometry, geophysics, electrostatics,
astronomy and optics. Gauss had a remarkable
influence in many fields of mathematics and science
and is ranked as one of history's most influential
mathematicians.

v  Introduction - Electric flux - Gauss's law v  Electric pressure

v  Applications of Gauss's law v  Field energy Conductor in electric field

v  Mechanical force on charged conductor v  Van de Graff Generator

uur
2.1 INTRODUCTION dS , such that the arrow representing the area vector
uur
In principle, the electrostatic field due to a con- dS is perpendicular to area element (see figure).
uur
tinuous charge distribution can always be found by The length of the area vector dS represents the
using Coulomb's law, but the integration required
may be complex. magnitude of the area element dS. In case, if $n is a
In this chapter, we study an alternative unit vector along normal to the area element dS,
uur
approach, based on the concept of lines of force, then $
dS = dSn
which, in some cases, can be much simpler.
Although Michael Faraday had established the $n Area = dS
uur
usefulness of field lines in visualizing the field, he dS = dS $n
did not express the idea in mathematical form.
The mathematician Carl F.Gauss later intro- 2.3. ELECTRIC FLUX
duced the concept of field lines into quantitative
The electric flux through a surface held
form. He visualised the picture of lines "flowing"
inside an electric field represents the total
through a closed surface by introducing a quantity
number of electric lines of force crossing the
called flux and related it to the net charge enclosed
surface in a direction normal to the surface.
by the surface.
Electric flux is a scalar quantity and is denoted
Gauss law is one of the fundamental laws by  . In fact, flux is the property of a vector field
of physics. When a charge distribution has suf-
and likewise electric flux is associated with electric
ficient symmetry, Gauss's law can provide an
field.
easier way to determine the electrostatic field in
a few simple steps. 2.4. RELATION BETWEEN ELECTRIC
But in case of more complex configuration FIELD INTENSITY AND ELECTRIC
of the charge, Gauss's law is useful to calculate FLUX:
field or flux. Suppose that a surface having an area S is

placed inside an electric field of intensity E as
2.2. AREA VECTOR
shown in figure. In order to find the electric flux
The area of a surface is treated as a vector through the surface of area S, consider a small area
quantity. An area element dS is represented by vector element dS of the surface S. The elementary area
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PHYSICS - II B GAUSS'S LAW

dS can be represented by a vector dS , which is NOTE 2.2 :
directed along normal to the area element dS. In a non uniform electric field, the electric flux

Suppose that electric field E makes an angle q with through a given surface can be obtained from the

the area vector dS , then component of electric field
along the normal to the area element dS i.e. along formula  d   E ds cos  .

area vector dS is given by NOTE 2.3:
E n = E cos q Electric flux may be positive, negative or even
zero depending on the value of ' q ' as shown
n̂  E E
S uur n̂
dS
Area = dS ur
q E
  Es cos 
 E m erging flux    Es
Fig. (a) Fig. (b)

n̂ E n̂
E
Hence, electric flux crossing the area element
dS in a direction along the normal to it is given by
  Es cos 90 0  0   E s cos1800   E s
df = E n dS = (E cos q )dS
  (no flux link) (entering flux )
or df = E.dS
Fig. (c) Fig. (d)
The electric flux through the whole surface S
can be found by integrating the above over the NOTE 2.4 :
whole surface S. Therefore, total electric flux For a closed surface, outward flux is taken
through the surface S is given by to be positive while inward flux is taken as
  negative.
f = ò E.dS = ò E n dS
S S E
n
Thus, electric flux linked with a closed
Surface
Surface
surface in an electric field may also be defined
as the surface integral of the electric field over
that surface.
The unit of electric flux is N m2 C–1. (or) Vm Positive - flux Negative - flux

and its dimensional formula is éêML T A ù

3 - 3 - 1
ë úû. n

Note 2.1 : If the surface S is a closed surface, then E

the total electric flux through the closed surface is E E

n n
given by
ur uur E   R 2 E
E   R 2 E E  0
f = òÑ =
E.dS òÑE dS
n
S S
Cylinder in a uniform field
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2.5 ELECTRIC FLUX DUE TO A CHARGE The direction of arrow head gives the direction
Case(i): Charge inside a closed surface of field E due to q at each point on that surface.
Consider that a point electric charge q is situated at Here we can observe that total flux entering the

the centre of a sphere of radius r. Let E be the electric surface  in  and the total flux emerging out from
field at any point P on the surface of the sphere.
the surface  out  are the same. We know that in
Then, according to Coulomb's law,
 is negative and out is positive by convention. So
E
total flux associated with the closed surface of any
P 
dS shape due to charge outside the surface is zero as
 1 q r
E= . r, q total  in  out      0
4p Î 0 r 2 
Or Case (iii): Charges inside and outside a closed
surface.
where r is unit vector along the line OP.. Consider a system of point charges as shown.

Consider a small area element dS (shown q1
shaded in the figure) around the point P. Since small  q4
area element is located on the surface of the sphere,  q2

the area vector dS will also be along OP i.e. in the q3
direction of unit vector r . Therefore, electric flux
 In this case flux associated with charges inside
through area element dS is given by
q1 q 2
df = E .dS = E dS the closed surface is 1  
0 0
.
1 q Flux associated due to charges outside the
(or) df = 4p Î . r 2 dS
0 closed surface is 2  0
Therefore, electric flux through the closed
 Total flux  1  2 
 q1  q2 
surface of the sphere, 0
1 q 1 q Problem-2.1
f = òÑdf = òÑ4p Î 0 . r2 dS = 4p Î 0 . r 2 òÑdS A particle that carries a charge ‘–q’ is placed at rest
S S S
in uniform electric field 10 N/C. It experiences a
force and moves. In a certain time ‘t’, it is observed to
Now, òÑdS = surface area of the sphere of
acquire a velocity 10 i  10 j m/s. The given electric
S
field intersects a surface of area 1m2 in the x–z plane.
radius 'r ' = 4pr2 Find the Electric flux through the surface.
1 q q Solution: Force on charge F  qE
\ f = . 2 ´ 4p r 2 =
4p Î 0 r Î0  particle moves opposite to E with V
Case(ii): Charge outside the closed surface : i j
unit vector in the direction of V is 
Consider a point charge q kept outside the 2 2

closed surface as shown . i j

unit vector in the direction of E is 
2 2
 i j 
E  10    ie. A  1  j
 2 2
q Electric flux   E  A  5 2 Nm2 / C

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2.6 GAUSS'S LAW Consider a point charge q inside a closed surface

(A) as shown . Imagine a sphere (B) of small radius
In electrostatics, Gauss law is a powerful tool
'r' with charge q at the centre of the sphere. Electric
which is useful in simplifying electric field
calculations where there is symmetry in charge field at any point on the surface of the sphere is ,
distribution. This law can be used to find total flux 1 q.
E
associated with a closed surface. It can also be used 4  0 r 2
to find how electric charge is distributed itself over Consider an element of area 'ds' on the surface
conducting bodies. The statement of Gauss law is of the sphere.
as given below Flux through that element, df = E ds
"The total electric flux through any closed (or) df = E ds cos 00
1
surface is equal to Î times the net charge ( E and ds are both radially outwards)
0
1 q
enclosed by that surface." d  ds
4 0 r 2
Here 0 is permitivity of free space. If a closed
suface S encloses an electric charge q, then \ Total flux through the sphere
according to Gauss's theorem, the total electric flux 1 q
   d   ds
through the closed surface is given by 4 0 r 2
q 1 q 1 q q
f =  2 
ds  2
(4r 2 )  
Î0 4  0 r 4  0 r 0
By definition, the total electric flux through the But flux through the sphere (B) is equal to the flux
closed surface S is given by through the closed surface (A) enclosing the sphere,
ur uur because all the lines of force passing through the sphere
f = òÑ E.dS
(B) also passes through the closed surface (A).
S
 \ The total flux through a closed surface is
where E is electric field at the area element
 1
dS . Therefore, Gauss's theorem may be expressed always times charge enclosed irrespective of
as ur uur 0
q
òÑ = Î 0
E.dS shape and size of the closed surface and position of
S charge.
Hence, Gauss's theorem may also be stated as below : 2.6(b) EXPLANATION OF GAUSS LAW
If a closed surface encloses a charge, then surface Consider charges q1, q2 ,q3,........qn inside a
integral of the electric field (due to enclosed closed surface and charges Q1, Q2 ,......Qn outside
1 that surface.
charge) over the closed surface is equal to Î Consider a point P on the surface. Let
0
times the charge enclosed. E1 , E2 ,......E n be the fields produced by q 1 , q2 ,
2.6(a) PROOF OF GAUSS'S THEOREM q3,.......qn at P and E11 , E12 ,......E1n be the fields
produced by the charges Q1, Q2, .........Qn at P
A
Q1
B
q E q1
P q3
q2
Q3
Q2

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Now the resultant electric field at P is given by To evaluate the surface integral easily, a closed
E   E1  E 2  ...  E n    E11  E12  ...  E1n  surface is chosen cleverly around the charge
distribution. The surface so chosen is called the
The flux of resultant electric field through the Gaussian surface.
closed surface is
Thus, Gaussian surface around a charge
f = òÑE.d s = {òÑE1.ds + òÑE2 .d s + ..... + òÑEn .d s } distribution (may be a point charge, a line charge, a
surfae charge or a volume charge) is a closed surface,
such that electric field intensity at all the points on
+ {òÑE .d s + òÑE .ds + ..... + òÑE .ds }
1
1
1
2
1
n
the surface is same and the electric flux through the
surface is along the normal to the surface.
Here òÑE1.d s is the flux due to q1 which is q1 / 0
2.7 TO DEDUCE COULOMB'S LAW FROM
ÑE11.d s is the flux due to Q1 which is zero, as
and ò
GAUSS'S LAW
it is not enclosed by the Gaussian surface.
Consider a point charge q1 at O. Let us construct
Similarly the flux due to the other charges also a Gaussian surface in the form of a closed sphere,
can be written. having its centre at O and with a radius OP = r.
Now we can write Here P is a point on the surface of that sphere

q q q  ds E
  1  2  ......  n   0  0..... r
òÑE.d s 0 0 0  p
O q1
 q  q  ....  q n 
 1 2 
 0  S

å qenclosed The electric field strength at P due to charge q1

Þ òÑE.ds = Î0
will be E which will be radially outwards. Let us
consider a small area element ds at P on the surface
Here  q enclosed is the sum of all enclosed of the sphere. ds will be along outward normal to
charges which can be positive, negative or zero. the surface and is parallel to E . So we have
NOTE - 2.5 : E.d s  Eds cos 0  Eds . This condit ion is
applicable at every point on the surface of the sphere.
The flux linked with any closed surface is
2
not influenced by the charges present outside the Now òÑE.ds = òÑE.ds = E òÑds = E4p r
surface. s
qenclosed
But the electric field at any point is the net But from Gauss's law òÑE.ds = Î0
field due to all charges present inside as well as s
outside the closed surface. q 1 q1
 E4r 2  1 or E 
2.6(c) GAUSSIAN SURFACE 0 40 r 2
The expression for electric field intensity can This is the field intensity due to point charge
be obtained by applying Coulomb's law only in q1 at a distance r from that charge. If we keep a
simple cases. In the situations, where Coulomb's law charge q2 at P, the force acting between q1 and q2 is
and principle of superposition becomes difficult in 1 q1q2
calculating the electric field, the same is achieved F  Eq 2 
40 r 2 which is Coulomb's law in
easily by using Gauss's law. For this, one has to
evaluate the surface integral. electrostatics.
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NOTE - 2.6 : (i) As field is parallel to base, the flux linked

(a) If a closed surface does not enclose any charge, with base
then f PS = E ´ p R 2 cos 90 0 = 0
  1
ò E . ds = Î o (q)= 0 Substituting this value of f PS in Eq. (1), we
get:
i.e, if a closed body (not enclosing any charge) f CS = 0
is placed in an electric field (either uniform on non -
(ii) As field is perpendicular to base, the flux
uniform), total flux linked with it will be zero. linked with base
f PS = E ´ p R 2 cos1800 = - p R 2 E
So substituting this value of f PS in Eq. (1), we
Sphere get
f CS = p R 2 E

E  0
(iii) Total flux through the Gaussian surface
E  0 q
(sphere) =
(b) If a closed body encloses a charge q, total flux Î0
q
  1 \ Flux through hemisphere = 2 Î
linked with the body will be  E .ds   q  0
o (d) : A point charge 'q' is placed at a height "a/2"
From this expression, it is clear that the flux
exactly above the centre of a horizontal square plate
linked with a closed surface is independent of
the shape and size of the surface and position of of side 'a'. Then flux linked with the plat is given by
q
charge inside it
6Î 0
Here Gaussian surface is a cube of side 'a' with
q q
q the charge at its centre.
f = (q Î o ) f = (q Î o ) f E = (q Î o ) +q
E E

(c) : A hemispherical body is placed in a uniform a/2

electric field E. The flux linked with the curved

surface, if field is (i) parallel to the base (ii) a
perpendicular to base and (iii) if a charge q is placed
at its centre can be calculated as follows a
E E E q
Flux linked with Gaussian sufrace(cube) =
Î0
q
q R
\ Flux linked with given face 6 Î
R R 0
n n
n (e) A point charge 'q' is placed at the open end of
(B) (C)
(A)
a cylinder as shown in figure. Then flux linked with
Considering the hemispherical body as a closed q
body with a curved surface and a plane base (cross it is given by
2Î 0
- section), the flux linked with the body will be zero
as it does not encloses any charge i.e., Here Gaussian surface is a cylinder of radius
f = f CS + f PS = 0 ............. (1) 'r' and length '21' with the charge at its centre
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 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

+q c) If a point charge is kept at the corner of a cube

l
r
q
Flux linked with Gaussian surface (cylinder) =
Î0
q
\ Flux linked with given surface = 2 Î
0 (A)
NOTE - 2. 7 : (B)

In case of closed symmetrical surface with charge For enclosing the charge completely, seven
at its centre, flux linked with each half will be more identical cubes are required. So total
1 flux linked wit h the 8 cube system is
 E    q 2 o  and if the symmetrical closed
2 Q
surface has ' n ' identical faces with point charge at f total =
Î0.
its centre, flux linked with each face will be
Q
 E n   q n o  \ Flux through the given cube f cube = 8 Î .
0
NOTE - 2.8 : & Flux through one face opposite to the
a) If a point charge is kept at the centre of a cube, charge, of the given cube is
then the total flux linked with the cube is
Q /8 Î 0 Q
f foce = = (Because only three
3 24 Î 0
faces are seen).
Q
2.8 POINTS TO REMEMBER
REGARDING GAUSS'S LAW
1 a) The imaginary surface enclosing the position
f total = (Q) ; of charges is called Gaussian surface.
Î0
b) Gaussian surface can be of any shape, but of-
Flux linked with each face of the cube is
ten it will be a sphere, a cylinder or some other
1
f face = (Q) symmetrical form.
6Î 0
c) Gaussian surfaces are so chosen that they pass
b) If a point charge is kept at the centre of a face through the point where electric field intensity
of the cube, the first we should enclose the has to be found.
charge by assuming a Gaussian surface (an d) It is convinient to imagine a Gaussian surface,
identical imaginary cube) so that electric field at every point will be
either normal or tangential to the surface.
Q e) The surface need not be a real physical sur-
face, it can also be a hypothetical one.
(A) (B) Problem2.2
Total flux emerges from the system (Two cubes)  x
Q The electric field in a region is given by E  E0 iˆ .
L
is  total   Find the charge contained inside a cubical volume
0
Q bounded by the surface x = 0, x = L, y =0 , y = L, z = 0
Flux through the given cube is f cube = 2 Î and z = L.
0

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Solution : Till now we considered individual and discrete


At x = 0, E = 0 and at x = l, E  E0 ˆi charges q1, q2, ....... qn only. But in the case of a
The direction of the field is along the x-axis, so it will charged linear conductor, or a charged surface area
cross the yz-face of the cube. The flux of this field or a charged sphere, it is impractical to consider
y discrete individual charges. Hence, we consider a
continuous charge distribution. Corresponding to the
three kinds of charge distributions, namely linear,
E0 surface and volume charge distributions, we have
three kinds of charge densities.
x
i) Linear charge density ( l ):
xL
z It is defined as the charge per unit length
dq
  left face  right face l =
dl
 0  E0 L2  E0 L2 Where dq is the charge in an infinitesimal length
q
By Gauss's law,  dl . Units of l are coulomb/meter..
0
 q 0  0 E0 L2 ii) Surface charge density ( s ):
It is defined as the charge per unit area.
Problem-2.3
dq
A point charge q is placed at the centre of the edge of s =
a cubical box. Find the total flux associated with that ds
box. Where dq is the charge in an infinitesimal
q
surface area ds. Units of s are coulomb / m2.
iii) Volume charge density ( r ):
It is defined as the charge per unit volume.
dq
Solution : r=
dv
If q is placed as shown, three more identical cubes are
Where dq is the charge in an infinitesimal
required to enclose. that charge completely. Then the
q
volume element dv. Units of ( r ) are coulomb/m3.
total flux through all faces of 4 cubes is  . Now
0 2.9(a) ELECTRIC INTENSITY AND
contribution of this flux through each cube (given) is ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO A
q
. POINT CHARGE :
4Î 0
To find electric field and potential due to a point
Here it is interesting to note that the faces which have
charge. Consider a point charge q at point O.
common edge on which the given charge is kept have
Consider a spherical Gaussian surface of radius r
q
no flux and hence the flux 4 Î emerges through the around the charge with O as the centre.
0
remaining four faces of the cube.

2.9 APPLICATIONS OF GAUSS'S LAW TO E

ds
CONTINUOUS CHARGE DISTRIBUTION:
q
By applying Gauss's law we can easily find r O
out the electric intensity (or field strength) due to
various kinds of charge distributions.
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At every point on this sphere, the electric field field due to the line charge is normal to the curved
E has same magnitude and everywhere it is radial. surface.
If we consider an elemental area ds on the sphere, If E is the magnitude of electric field at point P,
E.ds  Eds cos 00  Eds then electric flux through the gaussian surface is
q given by
From Gauss's law ò ÑE.ds = enclosed
Î0 Y
s
+
2 q +
Þ ò ÑE.ds = E4p r = Î 0 +
+
s dS
l + r
1 q + P E
(or) E = 4 Î 2 +
+
G a us sia n
0 r +
S u rfa c e
+
Y'
Electric Potential :
f = E´ area of the curved surfae of a cylinder
We know that V  r     E.dr of radius r and length l
q q or f = E ´ 2 p r  ............(i)
=- ò 4p Î 0 r 2 dr = +C
4p Î 0 r According to Gauss's theorm, we have
where C is constant of integration. q
f =
When r = ¥ , potential V = 0. e0
By substituting this condition in the above Now, charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface,
equation, the constant of integration, C = 0. q= l 
q l
The potential V(r)  \ f = ............(ii)
4  0 r e0
From equations (i) and (ii), we have
2.9(b) ELECTRIC INTENSITY AND
l  Þ E= l
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO A E ´ 2p r =
LINEAR CHARGE DISTRIBUTION : e0 2p Î 0 r
Consider a thin infinitely long straight line æ l ö÷
charge having a uniform linear charge density l (or) E = ççç ÷
÷r ............(iii)
placed along YY1. By symmetry, it follows that çè2p Î 0 r 2 ø÷
electric field due to line charge at a distance 'r' in In contrast to electric field due to a point charge
any plane at right angles to the line charge is of the (which decreases inversely as the square of the
same magnitude and is directed radially outward. distance from the charge), the field due to a line
To find electric field due to line charge at point 1
P distant 'r' from it, draw a cylindrical surface of charge falls off as .
r
radius r and length l about the line charge as its
axis (see figure). This cylindrical surface may be If l is positive, that is if the wire is positively
treated as the Gaussian surface for the line charge. charged, the direction of E will be radially outwards
Let us now calculate the electric flux that crosses (perpendicular to and away from the wire). On the
the Gaussian surface from the charge enclosed by other hand, if l is negative, that is if the wire is
the gaussian surface. Since elecric lines of force are negatively charged, the direction of E will be radially
parallel to end faces (circular caps) of the cylinder, inwards (perpendicular to and towards the wire). In
there is no component of field along the normal to both cases E will be perpendicular to the wire. Even
the end faces. The electric flux crosses only through though equation (iii) is derived for an infinitely long
the curved surface of the cylinder, as the electric charged wire, it holds good approximately for

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electric field around the central portions of a long Here qenclosed  2RL
charged wire. This is because, the end effects can Here electric flux through the circular faces is
be neglected far from the flat end surfaces of zero. So, from Gauss law
Gaussian cylinder.
s 2p RL  2 RL
Electric Potential :
òÑE.ds = Î0 or E2  rL 
0
We know that V  r     E.dr
s R
 Þ E=
Here E  and E.dr  Edr Î 0r
2 0 r
The variation of E with distance r from the

So V  r     E dr    dr axis is as shown in the graph.
2 0 r E
æ- l ö÷
V(r) = çç log r ÷+ C
\ çè2p Î 0 e ø÷ ÷ Eµ
1
r

where C is constant of integration and V(r) r=R r

gives electric potential at a distance r from the linear
**Application - 2.2 :
charge distribution.
Electric field due to uniformly charged non-
Note- 2.9 :
conducting cylinder:
The above discussion can be easily extended
Consider a long cylinder of radius R charged
to find electric field due to a uniformly charged
with volume charge density  uniformly. Let us find
cylindrical shell and also to uniformly charged non
- conducting cylinder. electric field at a distance r from the axis of the cyl-
inder. Consider a cylindrical Gaussian surface of
**Application - 2.1 : length L and radius r as shown,
Electric field due to long uniformly r
charged cylinder:


L
L
r
r

Consider a long cylinder of radius R which is R

uniformly charged on its surface with charge den- q
òÑ E .ds = encl ; where q = rp R2L
sity  . We know that at the interior points of a metal Î0 encl

body electric field strength is zero. Let us find the Here electric flux through the circular faces is
electric field at a point and at a distance r from the zero.
axis of the cylinder. Consider a cylindrical Gaussian Case (i): If r > R, then from Gauss's law
surface of radius r and length L as shown in the
rp R2 L R2 L
figure. òÑ E.ds =
Î0
 E2rL 
0
From Gauss's law, we can write
1 R 2 Þ E µ 1
òÑ E.ds =
Î0
(qen ) or E 
2 0 r
out
r

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 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

rR f = E x area of the end face (circular caps) of

Case (ii): If r = R, then E = the cylinder
2Î 0
2 or f = E x 2A ..........(i)
Case (iii): If r < R, qencl = rpr L
According to Gauss's theorem, we have
qencl
from Gauss law òÑE.ds = Î0 f =
q
e0
r 2 L r
E2rL  (or) E  Þ E in µ r Here, the charge enclosed by the gaussian
0 2 0 surface, q = s A

In vector form E  r 
sA
2 0 \ f = ..........(ii)
Î0
The variation of E with distance r from the
axis is as shown in the graph. From equations (i) and (ii), we have
s A or s
E E ´ 2A = E=
e0 2 e0
Eµ r
1
Eµ
r
Thus, we find that the magnitude of the
electric field at a point due to an infinite plane
r=R r sheet of charge is independent of its distance from
2.9(c) ELECTRIC INTENSITY AND the sheet of charge.
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO Electric Potential :
INFINITE PLANE SHEET OF Electrostatic potential due to an infinite plane
CHARGE (NONCONDUCTING): sheet of charge at a perpendicular distance r from
Consider an infinite thin plane sheet of positive
the sheet is given by V  r     E.dr    Edr
charge having a uniform surface charge density s
on both sides of the sheet. By symmetry, it follows 
As E  , we can write
that the electric field is perpendicular to the plane 2 0
sheet of charge and is directed in outward direction.
   
To find electric field due to the plane sheet of V  r   dr   r  C
charge at any point P distant r from it, draw a cylinder 2 0  2 0 
of area of cross-section A through the point P as the where C is constant of intergation
Gaussian surface (fig). Since electric lines of force
are parallel to the curved surface of the cylinder, the NOTE - 2.10 :
flux due to electric field of the plane sheet of charge The magnitude of electric field is independent
passes only through the two circular caps of the of the distance from the sheet. This is true as long as
cylinder. the sheet is large as compared to the distance of the
If E is the magnitude of electric field at point P, point from the sheet.
then electric flux crossing through the gaussian NOTE - 2.11 :
surface is given by The above result holds good even for finite
+ sheet of charge when the point is not nearer to the
+
+ + edge and the distance of the point from the sheet is
+
+
s + Area
ur = A
ur +
+
+
+ small compared to the dimensions of the sheet.
E + + E
+ + NOTE - 2.12 :
+ +
+ + + Gaussian
Plane sheet + + If  is negative in the above case, E will be
of charge + Surace
along the inward normal
92 AKASH MULTIMEDIA
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NOTE - 2.13 : sA æ s ö
E= + çç- B ÷ ÷
The magnitude of electric field of an infinite plane 2e0 çè 2e0 ø÷ ÷
sheet of charge is independent of distance r from 1
1 or E = 2e (s A - s B ) ..... (ii)
the sheet where as E  in the case of point 0
r2
charge. The reason is that charge is not localised at iii) In region III: The electric fields due to both
a point but distibuted on the sheet. the sheets of charge will be from left to right. i.e.
along positive direction. Therefore, in region III,
Application - 2.3 :
sA s
ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO TWO E= + B
INFINITE PLANE PARALLEL SHEETS OF 2e0 2e0
CHARGE 1
E= (s A + s B ) ...... (iii)
2e0
+
+
+
+ Special case. If s A = s and s B = - s , then it
+ + + + follows that electric field is zero in regions I and III,
+ + + + +
+s A + +s B
+ + while in the region II, the electric field is given by
I +
+ + II + + + III
+ +
+ +
+ A + + B+ 1 s
+ + + + + E= + éës - (- s )ùû or E=
+ + + + + 2e0 e0
+ +
Thus, in case of two infinite plane sheets of
charge having equal and opposite surface charge
Consider two infinite plane parallel sheets of densities, the field is non-zero only in the space
charge A and B, having surface charge densities between the two sheets and it is constant i.e. uniform
equal to s A and s B respectively. The two sheets in this region. Further, the field is independent of
divide the space of three regions namely region I the distance between the infinite plane sheets of
lying to the left of sheet A, region II between the charge
sheets A and B and region III to the right of sheet B NOTE - 2.14 :
as shown in figure. In case two infinite plane charged conductors of
(i) In region I: The electric fields due to both finite thickness are placed parallel to each other, the
the sheets of charge will be from right to left (opposite equations (i), (ii) and (iii) will modify to
to the direction, in which distances are measured as 1
positive). The electric field due to sheets A and B in E= - (s A + s B ) ... in region I
e0
region I will be
1 ... in region II
æ s ö æ s B ö÷ E= (s A - s B )
E = ççç- A ÷ ÷ ç
÷+ ç- ÷
÷
e0
è 2e0 ø÷ çè 2e0 ø÷ 1
and E = (s A + s B ) ... in region III
1 e0
or E= - (s A + s B ) ......... (i)
2.9(d) ELECTRIC INTENSITY AND
2e0
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO
ii) In region II: The electric field due to sheet
INFINITE SHEET (CONDUCTING):
of charge A will be from left to right (along positive
direction) and that due to sheet of charge B will be Consider an infinite conducting sheet as shown.
from right to left (along negative direction). When charge is given to it, it distributes itself over
Therefore, in region II, the outer surface of the sheet. For a thin conducting
AKASH MULTIMEDIA 93
 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

sheet, the charge distributes on both of its faces. point P. It will be a spherical shell of radius r and
So, conduct ing sheet is equivalent to t he centre O.
combination of two non-conducting sheets, with the ur
Let E be the electric field at point P due to
same charge density  . charge q on the spherical shell. It is evident that the
  field due to charged spherical shell is radial and
spherically symmetric. At every point on the surface
P1
P  of shell, the field has same magnitude and is along
3 P2
  normal to the surface. Therefore, total flux through
  the Gaussian surface is given by
  ur uur
The electric field at any point is the superposi-
f = ò Ñ dS = òÑE dS = E òÑdS = E4p r 2
E.
S S S

tion of the fields due to two non -conducting charged Since the charge enclosed by the Gaussian
sheets. surface is q, according to the Gauss's theorem,
Now resultant field at P1: q
   E.4p r 2 =
E1    e0
2 0 2 0 0 1 q
or E= . 2 (for r> R) ........(i)
Now resultant field at P2: 4 p e0 r
   It is the same as that at distance r from a point
E2   
2 0 2 0 0 charge q. It implies that for the points outside the
charged spherical shell, the shell behaves as if the
Now resultant field at P3 :
charge on the shell were concentrated at its centre.
   The above result for electric field due to a charged
E3   0 so, E1  E2  .
2 0 2 0 0 spherical shell can also be expressed interms of its
surface density as explained below:
2.9(e) ELECTRIC FIELD AND
If s is uniform surface charge density of the
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO
spherical shell, then
A CHARGED SPHERICAL SHELL
q = 4p R 2 s
(OR CONDUCTING SPHERE):
substituting for q in equation (i), we have
E s R2
q P E= .
+ + + dS (for r > R)
+ R r +
Î 0 r2
Charged spherical
+ +
+ O shell    R2  
+ +
+ + or E   3  r
0  r 
Gaussian
Surface Where r is position vector of the point with
respect to centre of the sphere.
Consider a thin spherical shell of radius R and Electric potential :
Centre O. Let +q be the charge on the spherical Now potential at any point outside the shell is
shell. Let us find electric field at point P distant r
from the centre of the spherical shell. V  r     E.dr    Edr
Case (i): When point P lies outside the 1 q 1 q
  2
dr  C
spherical shell: Draw the Gaussian surface through 40 r 4 0 r
94 AKASH MULTIMEDIA
PHYSICS - II B GAUSS'S LAW

where C is constant of integration As P is inside the shell, there is no charge

If r   , V (¥ )® 0 and C = 0 enclosed by the Gaussian surface as charge resides
1 q only on the outer surface of the shell.
Now V  r   4   r  r  R
q enclosed
0
From Gauss's law  E.d s 
 0
0
Case (ii): When point P lies on the surface of S
spherical shell: The gaussian surface through point Þ E = 0 inside the charged shell.
P will just enclose the charged spherical shell.
Therefore, according Gauss's theorem, Electric Potential
q dV
E.4p R 2 = We know that E  
dr
Î0
1 q Here for r < R in the case of charged spherical
(or) E= . 2 (for r=R) ...... (ii)
4p Î 0 R shell, E = 0 and so we can write  dV  0
dr
Since q = 4p R 2 s , the equation (ii) becomes  V is constant.
s 1 q
E= (for r=R) ...... (iii) But on the surface (r = R), V  4   R
Î0 0
s which is constant for r £ R
(or) E= nˆ
Î0
E
where n̂ is the unit vector normal to the surface.
1 q 1
4 0 R 2 E
Electric Potential r2

Now electrostatic potential at P such that r = R R r

1 q V
is given by V 
4  0 R 1 q
1
NOTE - 2.15: 4 0 R V
r

For points outside and on the surface of a R r

uniformly charged spherical shell, it behaves as if
the entire charge on it were concentrated at the centre 2.9(f) ELECTRIC INTENSITY AND
of the shell. ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO A
UNIFORMLY CHARGED NON-
Case (iii): For points inside the charged spherical
CONDUCTING SOLID SPHERE :
shell (r <R)
Consider a concentric Gaussian surface with Consider a charged sphere of radius R with
radius r < R as shown. We have total charge q uniformly distributed on it. Here
q 4 3
2 volume charge density   where V is R .
òÑE.ds = òÑEds = E4p r V 3
S S
+ + + q+ Case (i) : For Points Outside the Sphere (r > R )
+ +
R
+ P + Co nsider a Gaussian surface which is
+ r +
+ + concentric sphere (around the charged sphere) with
+ + +
radius r > R.
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 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

q qr 3
From Gauss's law òÑE.ds = Î 0 1 qr
 E4r 2  3 and E 
S 0 R 4 0 R 3
2
where òÑE.d s = E4p r 4 3
S + But q   R
+ + + n̂ 3
q
2 +
Þ E.4p r = +R E r   
Î0 + +
+ + r E and E   r
3 0  3 0 
1 q Electric Potential :
\ E= for r > R
4p Î 0 r2
Now let us take a point at r < R for which
 1 q  1 qr
and E   3
r. E
 4 0 r  4 0 R 3
Electric Potential : again dV = - E.dr = - Edr
We can find the electrostatic potential due to v r r 1 qr
spherical charge distrbution as given below. v dV    E dr    dr
s R R 40 R 3
1 q r
At any point for r > R, we have E  1 q æ r2 ö÷
40 r 2 V - Vs = - ç
ç ÷ ÷
dV 4p Î 0 R3 ççè 2 ø÷R
Now we use E 
dr
or dV   E.dr   Edr 1 q 1 q  r2 R2 
V    
v r 1 q 4 0 R 4 0 R3  2 2 
ò0 dV = - ò¥ 4p Î 0 r2 dr
1 q  3 r2 
r V   
é 1 q ùú 4 0 R  2 2R 2 
Þ V - 0= ê
ê4 p Î r úû¥
ë 0 At the centre r = 0 then
1 q 1 3q 3 1 q
V  as V  0 at r    Potential VC  
4 0 r 4  0 2R 2 4 0 R
Case (ii) : For Points Inside the Sphere (r < R) Case (iii) : At the centre of the sphere (r = 0)
Let us consider a concentric Gaussian surface Electric field
of radius r < R . Here also E will be radial At the centre of the sphere r = 0  E = 0
everywhere but charge enclosed by the Gaussian
On the surface of the sphere r = R and
surface is
+ E 1 q
+ + ++ E
+ + + + + 4 0 R 2
+ r
+ + ++ + +
+ +R + Electric Potential
+
q 4 3 qr 3 At r = R V
1 q
qen   r  3
V 3 R 4 0 R
qen 1 q
From Gauss's law òÑE.ds = Î0
i.e, at the surface V  VS 
4 0 R
S

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NOTE- 2.15 : Consider a spherical conductor 1 of radius r1

holding charge q1 uniformly distributed on it. It is
In the case of a uniformly charged spherical
kept inside a hollow conductor 2 of radius r2 which
distrbution, is uncharged
1 q 1 q
i) for r > R, E = and V = r2 q1 r2 q1
2
4p Î 0 r 4p Î 0 r
1 q 1 q r1 r1
ii) for r = R, E = and V =
2
4p Î 0 R 4p Î 0 R

1 qr Fig. (a) Fig. (b)

iii) for r < R, E = and
4p Î 0 R3 Now electric potential of inner sphere is
1  q1 0  1 q1
1 q æ 2 ö
çç3 - r ÷ V1    
V= ÷
÷ 4 0  r1 r2  4 0 r1
4p Î 0 2R ççè R 2 ø÷
Electric potential of outer shell is
iv) At the centre, r = 0.
1  q1 0  1 q1
3 1 q V2    
E = 0 and V= ´ 4  0  r2 r2  4 0 r2
2 4p Î 0 R
Now potential difference between the two
The variation of E with distance r from centre is as
shown in the graph. q1  1 1 
r conductors is V1  V2    
E E 3 4 0  r1 r2 
1 q R
4  0 R 2 1 From this we can conclude that potential
E
r2 difference in this case depends on q1 only. It does
not depend on any charge on the outer shell. Let us
R r check the same as given below. If q2 is the charge
The variation of V with distance r from centre is on the outer shell, then
as shown in the graph.
1  q1 q2 
V V1    
3VS

4 0  r1 r2 
1 q
2  VS  
VS  40 R 
1  q1  q2 
and V2   
4 0  r2 
R r
Fig. (d) q1  1 1 
Now V1  V2    
Application : 2.4 4 0  r1 r2 
Principle of Generator Here the potential difference (V1 – V2) will
An instrument used for producing high remain the same for any value of q2.
voltages (million volt range) is known as generator.
If the two spheres are connected as shown in
If a charged conductor is brought into contact with
a hollow conductor, (former inside the latter) all of figure (b), the charge flows from higher potential to
its charge transfers to the hollow conductor lower potential. Ultimately all the charge resides
irrespective of the high potential of later. on the surface of outer sphere.

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 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

This is possible for all cases i.e., q1  q 2 or Now as potential inside a conducting sphere is
q2  q1 and V1  V2 or V2  V1 . equal to that at its surface, so potential at the common
centre,
Application - 2.5 :
1  q1 q 2 
V  V1  V2   
A metal sphere A of radius a is charged to 4    r R
potential V. What wil be its potential if it is enclosed
Substituting the values of q1 and q2 from Eq. (3)
by a spherical conducting shell B of radius b and
the two are connected by a wire ? 1  Qr QR 
V  2 2  2 2 
If the charge on sphere of radius a is q, then 4   (R  r ) (R  r ) 
B 1 Q  R  r

b A
a
 
4  0 R2  r 2

2.9(g) ELECTRIC INTENSITY AND

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO
1 q
V= CONCENTRIC CONDUCTING
4p e0 a CHARGED SPHERICAL SHELLS
Þ q = (4pe0a )V Two concentric spherical conducting shells of
Now, when sphere A is enclosed by spherical radii a,b (b>a) have charges q1 and q2 respectively.
conductor B and the two are connected by a wire, Find the electric intensity and electric potential at a
charge will reside on outer surface of B and so the distance 'r' from the common centre 'O'.
potential of B will be, case (i) : If r < a (ie for points inside the inner
1 q 1 4 a a shell) q2
+ +
VB  
4   b 4   b
V V
b
+ +
+b +
+ +q+1 +
Now as sphere A is inside B so its potential, + + 0
a + +r a + +
VA = VB = (V ) [V as a< b] + + ++ +
b + + +
Application - 2.6 : ++
q enclosed = 0 ,
A charge Q is distributed over two concentric 1
hollow spheres of radii r and R (> r) such that the  E  4 r 2   0  0  E  0
surface densities are equal. Find the potential at the 0
common centre. 1  q 1 q2 
and V    
Sol : I f q1 and q2 are the charges on spheres of radii 4 0  a b
r and R respectively, then in accordance with ( Q potential at any point inside is equal to
conservation of charge potential on the surface )
q1 + q 2 = Q ............. (1) case (ii): If r = a (ie for points on the surface of
And according to given problem s 1 = s 2 , inner shell)
q1 q2 q1 r2 q enclosed  q1 ,
i.e., = or = ....(2)
4p r 2 4p R 2 q2 R 2 1 1 q
 E  4a 2  (q1 )  E  . 21
So from Eqs. (1) and (2) 0 4  0 a
Qr 2 QR 2 1  q1 q 2 
q1 = q = and V   
(r 2 + R 2 ) and 2 (r 2 + R 2 ) ....(3) 4  0  a b
98 AKASH MULTIMEDIA
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[ Q The point lies on the surface of the inner Solution:

shell & inside the outer shell] When the middle shell is earthed, charge flows between
the shell and the earth and its potential will be zero.
case (iii) : If r = b (ie for points on the surface
Let q be the final charge on the middle shell
of center shell )
1  q1 q q3 
V2     0
enclosed  q1  q 2 4 0  r2 r2 r3 
1 1 q1 q1 q q3
 E  4 r 2  (q1 )  E   
r2 r2 r3
0
0 4  0 r 2
q q q   q r 
1  q1 q 2     1  3   q    q1  3 2 
and V    r2  r2 r3   r3 
4  0  r b Final potential of innermost shell is
[ Q The point lies outside inner shell & inside æ1 1 ö
1  q1 q q 3  1
the outer shell ] V1      = q1 ççç - ÷÷
4 0  r1 r2 r3  4p Î 0 è r1 r2 ø÷
÷
case (iv) :If r = b [ie for points on the surface
of outer shell] Final potential of middle shell is V2 = 0
Final potential of outermost shell
q enclosed = q1 + q 2
1  q1  q  q3  1 q3
1 1  q1  q 2  V3    = . (r3 - r2 )
2
 E  4b   q1  q 2   E  . 4 0  r3  4p Î 0 r3
0 4  0 b2 Problem -2.5
1  q1 q 2  1  q1  q 2  Three concentric spherical metal shells A, B, C of ra-
and V     dii a, b, c (c > b > a) have surface charge densities
4 0  b b  4 0  b  ,  and  respectively.
[ Q The point lies outside the inner sphere and a) Find the potentials of the three shells?
on the surface & outer sphere] b) If the shells A and C are at the same potential, find
case (v) : If r > b [ ie for points outside the the relation between a,b and c
outer shell] 
q enclosed  q1  q 2 

1 1  q1  q 2 
 E  4r 2   q1  q 2   E  a
c
0 4  0 r2 b
A
1  q1 q 2  1  q1  q 2  B
and V   

4 0  r r  4  0  r  C
Solution:
Problem-2.4
(a) Charges on the three shells are
Three concentric spherical shells of radii r1 , r2 and r3
qA   4a 2 qB   4b2 qC   4c2
have charges q1, q2 and q3 respectively. If the central
sphere is connected to the earth by a conducting wire 1  qA qB qC  
VA       (a  b  c)
now, find the final potentials of the three shells 4 0  a b c  0

1  qA q B qC    a 2  b2 
q3 VB         c 
q2 4 0  b b c  0  b 
q1
r3
r2 1  qA qB qC    a 2  b2  c 2 
r1 VC        
4 0  c c c  0  c 
(b) If VA = VC, on substitution
we get a + b = c

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Problem-2.6
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR AIEEE
A point charge q is a distance r from the centre O of an
uncharged spherical conducting layer, whose inner 2.10 SOLID ANGLE
and outer radii are equal to a and b respectvely. Find
the potential at the point O if r<a. Solid angle is the three dimensional angle
Solution: subtended by the lateral surface of a cone at its
Equal amount of charge will induce on the inner and vertex
outer surface of the conductor. Then each negative
charge is at an equal distance a from O, and so poten-
tial due to this charge at O,
1 (q)
V  solid angle 
4 0 a
+ q Let us calculate the solid angle subtended by a
+ +
qa surface X at a point O. Join all the points of the
+ r + periphery of the surface X to the point O by straight
OH
b
+ lines as shown. It gives a cone with vertex at O.
+
+
r1 S1 S2
Similarly due to positive charge, potential at O
1 q
V  O  x
4 0 b
Potential at O due to charge q r2
1 q
V0 
4 0 r Fig. (b)
Thus total potential V  V0  V  V
q 1 1 1  By taking centre at O, we draw several
   . spherical sections on this cone of different radii as
4 0  r a b 
Problem-2.7 shown. Let the area of spherical section which is of
A positive charge q is placed in front of a conducting radius r1 be s1 and the area of section of radius r2 be
solid cube at a distance d from its centre. Find the s2. The ratios of area of any surface intersected
electric field at the centre of the cube due to the charges by cone to the square of radius of that sphere is
appearing on its surface.
a constant and it gives actually the solid angle 
Solution:
From the figure, solid angle subtended by surface
Charges will induce on the surface of the cube due to
the charge q. The net electric field at the centre of the s1 s2
cube due to all the charges must be zero. Let E1 be the
X at the point O is given by   2  2 .
r1 r2
electric field due to the charges appearing on the surface
of the cube. If E2 is the electric field due to charge q,
NOTE - 2.16 :
then q q SI unit of solid angle is steradian and it is a
dimensionless quantity.
q one steradian is the solid angle subtended
at the centre of the sphere by the surface of the
sphere having area equal to square of the radius
d of the sphere.
    The surface subtending solid angle need not
E1  E2  0 or E1  E2 or E1  E2 be normal to the axis of the cone. For example
The electric field due to charge q at the centre of the consider a surface X of area ds as shown. The axis
cube,
 1  q  1  q
of cone formed by the surface at O is not normal to
E2    2 Þ E1    2 the surface. In this cone solid angle  subtended at
 4 0  d  4 0  d
point O can be given as
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PHYSICS - II B GAUSS'S LAW

ds cos  If  = 1800 in the previous case, we get the

 solid angle substended by a closed surface
r2

r
x  
  2 1  cos180 0  4 steradians
O The total solid angle substanded by a closed

surface is always 4 steradians, irrespective of the
ds
size and shape of the closed surface.
Here  is the angle between ds and axis of
Problem-2.8
the cone.
A point charge q is placed at a distance d from the
2.11 RELATION BETWEEN SEMI- centre of a circular disc of radius R. Find electric flux
VERTEX ANGLE OF A CONE AND through the disc due to that charge
SOLID ANGLE SUBSTENDED
Consider a spherical surface of radius R. Let  R
q 
X be a surface on that sphere which substends a
semi vertex angle  ( in radian) at the centre of the
sphere. Now consider an elemental strip of this d
section of radius r = R sin  and angular width d  as Solution :
shown. Then surface area of this strip is given by We know that total flux originated from a point charge
ds   2R sin   Rd . q in all directions is
q
. This flux is originated in a
0
The total area of spherical section can be
solid angle 4 . In the given case solid angle subtended
obtained by integrating this elemental area from
by the cone subtended by the disc at the point charge
0 to  .
Total area of spherical section is is   2 1  cos  

So, the flux of q which is passing through the surface
S   ds   2R 2 sin  d of the disc is
0
2  q  q
 2R   cos  0  2R 2 1  cos     1  cos  
0 4 2 0
r d
Rd From the figure, cos   so
d  R2
2

q  d 
 1  2 
 d 2 0  d  R2 
R

 Problem-2.9
Two point charges +Q1 and -Q2 are placed at A and B
O
respectively. A line of force emanates from Q1 at an
If  is solid angle subtended by this section at angle  with the line joining A and B. At what angle
the centre O, then its area is given by S  R2 (as will it terminate at B?
discussed earlier) So, we can write
R 2  2R 2 (1  cos ) and W= 2p (1 - cos q)  Q1
 
  Q2
NOTE - 2.17 : A B

The solid angle substended by a hemispherical Solution :

surface at its centre is given by We know that number of lines of force emerge is
proportional to magnitude of the charge. The field lines
 
  2 1  cos90 0  2 steradians emanating from Q1, spread out equally in all directions.

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 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

The number of field lines or flux through cone of half E0 E0

Q1
angle  is 2 1  cos   . Similarly the number of
4 Ei
lines of force terminating on -Q2 at an angle  is
Q2
2 1  cos   . The total lines of force emanating (a) (b)
4
from Q1 is equal to the total lines of force terminating
on Q2
b) "The magnitude of electric field just out side
Q1 Q the charged conductor is  / 0 ." where  is surface
 2 1  cos    2 2  1  cos  
4 4 charge density. This result is valid to conductor of
Q1 Q any shape but preferably for large electric fields
or 1  cos    2 1  cos   where the charge density on the conductor is high.
2 2
Q1 sin2  / 2  Q2 sin2  / 2 c) "The net charge inside a conductor is zero".
We have studied about this in the previous topic
Q1 
1  Q1

sin  / 2  sin  / 2    2sin  sin  / 2 according to which charge resides on the outer
Q2  Q2  surface of the conductor. This is verfied from Gauss's
law.
2.12 METAL CONDUCTORS IN
ELECTRIC FIELD When a conductor is charged positively or
negatively like charges repel each other. So, the
When metal conductor is kept in an electric field,
charges try to get as far away from each other as
there will be momentary flow of free electrons. After
they can. As a result, charges move to the surface of
this flow stops, the conductor will be in electrostatic
the conductor.
equilibrium. At such condition, conductor will have
the following main properties.
E  
a) "Net electric field inside the conductor is E0
0

zero". Let us consider a metal block kept in an Q0

0
external uniform electric field E0 . Due to this field
V  cons tan t
each electron experiences force eE0 in a direction
opposite to E0 . This makes the electrons move to Q
one face at which there will be net negative charge. Fig.
As a result on the opposite face there will be an d) "The electric field on the surface or just outside
equal positive charge. These charges are called the charged conductor is normal to the surface of
induced charges (we have discussed about this in the conductor at every point". This means that
the previous topic). These induced charges establish component of electric field along the tangent to the
an electric field E i within the metal which opposes surface is zero.
the external field E0 . This applies a force on each e) "The electric potential at the surface and inside
free electron equal to eEi in the direction opposite the charged conductor is the same or constant".
to E i . Inside a charged conductor E  0
At equilibrium there will be no movement of
dv
free electrons and eE0  eEi  E 0  Ei E 0  V = constant
dr
But E i and E0 are opposite in direction. So
f) "Electric flux inside the charged conductor is
net electric field inside the metallic conductor is zero. zero".As charge enclosed is zero, flux inside the con-
 E0  Ei  0  ductor is also zero.
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PHYSICS - II B
2.13 CAVITY IN THE CONDUCTOR
We have discussed that there will be no electric
field inside a charged conductor and all the charge
resides on its outer surface only. Suppose that
charged conductor has a cavity or cavities and there
are no charges within the cavity or cavities, even
then charge resides on the outer surface of the
conductor. There will be no charge on the walls of
the cavity or cavities. This can be verfied very easily
using Gauss's law by enclosing the cavity with a
Gaussian surface.
cavity
Fig.
òÑE.ds = 0 For the dotted surface.
 q = 0 inside cavity..
Consider a conductor with spherical cavity in-
side it. There is no charge on the conductor. Now a
point charge +q is kept at the centre of the cavity.
Due to this charge, a charge -q is induced on the
inner surface of cavity . The total flux originated by
+q will terminate on the cavity walls and no field
lines enter into the conductor body
-q -q +q
+q
P -q
Fig. (a) Fig. (b)
We can consider a Gaussian surface around the
cavity and prove that induced charge on the cavity
walls is -q. The reason is electric field (E ) is zero
inside the material of the conductor. The Total
enclosed charge within the Gaussian surface is zero.
Here the conductor is initially uncharged. From
conservation of charge, we can say that on the outer
surface of the conductor a charge +q will be induced.
At any point inside the material of conductor, say at
AKASH MULTIMEDIA
GAUSS'S LAW
P, the electric field produced by +q in the cavity is
cancelled by the field produced by charges induced
on the walls of cavity and on the outer surface of
the conductor. If the point charge is not at the centre
of the spherical cavity, even then induced charges
on the cavity walls and on the outer surface of the
conductor are -q and +q only.
But the distribution of induced charges will
change in such a way that at any point P in the
material of the conductor resultant electric field is
zero.
Suppose the conductor has charge q0 on it
initially. This charge resides on the outer surface of
the conductor. If point charge q is kept inside the
cavity, induced charges on the walls of cavity and
on the outer surface of the conductor are the same
as before. i.e., – q and + q. But the total charge on
the outer surface of the conductor is (q0 +q) now.
If the charge inside the cavity is displaced, the
induced charge distribution on inner surface of the
body changes such that at any point inside the
material of the conductor resultant field is zero. In
this case the charge distribution on outer surface of
the conductor does not change and only the charge
distribution on the cavity walls will change.
Now the charge inside the cavity is fixed. If
another charge is brought towards the conductor
from outside., it will not affect the charge distribution
inside the cavity and only the distribution of charge
on the outer surface will be affected.
2.14 MECHANICAL FORCE ON THE
CHARGED CONDUCTOR
We know that like charges repel each other.
So, when a conductor is charged, the charge on any
point of the conductor is repelled by the charge on
its remaining part. It means surface of a charged
conductor experiences mechanical force.
E1
P1 E2
E1 ds
P2
E2
103
 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

Consider a charged conductor as shown. Let ds

ds be the surface area of a small element on the  E 
conductor. The electric field at point P1 near the
conductor surface can be considered as the
superposition of fields E1 and E2 . Here E1 is the
field produced by that elemental surface and E2 is
the field due to the remaing surface of the conductor.
E  E1  E2
 The given surface is in an external electric field
But we know that E  at P1 which is just represented by the field lines as shown.
0
outside the conductor and is zero at P2 which is just Let E be the intensity of electric field on the
inside the conductor elemental surface. Here angle between E and ds is  .
 In this case E has two comperments.
So at P1 we have E1  E 2 
0
Component parallel to the surface is
and at P2 we have E1 – E2 = 0
 E11  E sin 
 E1  E 2 
2 0 and component normal to the surface is
Now the force experienced by small surface E  E cos 
ds due to the charge on the rest of the surface is
Here force due to E 11 on the surface is
2 ds tangential which tries to stretch the surface. Where
F   dq  E 2   ds  E 2 
2 0
as the force due to E  applies outward pressure on
Force F 2 1
and    0 E 2 the surface. Now outward force on the elemental
Area ds 2 0 2 surface is
2.15 ELECTRIC PRESSURE ON A dF  (dq)E   ds E
CHARGED SURFACE
So, the outwards electric pressure on the surface
From the above derivation we observed that a
is
small surface of a charged conductor will experi- dF
ence a force by the remaining surface. The force Pe    E   Pe   E cos 
ds
1 2 2
per unit area of the surface is 0 E or
2 2 0 Problem-2.10
This is known as electric pressure on the A thin spherical shell radius of r has a charge Q
charged metal surface. uniformly distributed on it. At the centre of the shell, a
1 negative point charge -q is placed. If the shell is cut
 Pe  0 E 2
2 into two identical hemispheres, still equilibrium is
Suppose a charged body is in an external maintained. Then find the relation between Q and q?
electric field. Let us find out the electric pressure on
the surface of that charged body. +Q
Consider a surface uniformly charged with R
charge density  . On that surface 'ds' is the surface
-q
area of a small element. The charge on that element
is dq  ds
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PHYSICS - II B GAUSS'S LAW

Solution: q2
P0 7r 3   4T 3r 2   0
Here the outward electric pressure at every point on 32  2 0  2r 
the shell due to its own charge is q2
2
 7P0 r 3  12Tr 2
2 1  Q 
2 64  0 r
P1    
2 0 2 0  4r 2  q 2  64  2 0 r 3  7P0 r  12T 
1
Q2
P1  2 4
q  8r 0 r  7P0 r  12T   2
32 0 r
Due to -q, the electric field on the surface of the shell is 2.16 ELECTROSTATIC FIELD ENERGY
1 q
Consider a charged particle of mass m and
E charge q placed in an electric field E. If that particle
4 0 r 2
is released from rest, it starts moving due to the force
This electric field pulls every point of the shell in inward
applied by the electric field on it. As a result that
direction. The inward pressure on the surface of the
particle gains some kinetic energy. Here the electric
shell due to the negative charge is P2  E
field is doing work to increase the kinetic energy of
 Q  1 q  Qq that particle. In other words the electric field has
   4  2  
 4r 2  0 r  16 0 r 4
2
some energy which enables it to do that work.
For equlibrium of the hemispherical shells P2  P1 So, whenever electric field exists, it has energy
associated with it. We can find energy density of
Qq Q2
or  the electric field as explained below.
162 0 r 4 322 0 r 4
Consider a charged conductor as shown. We
Q know that electric field just outside the surface of
q
2

Problem-2.11 that conductor at any point is given by E 
0
If r and T are radius and surface tension of a spheri-
cal soap bubble respectively then find the charge + +
+
needed to double the radius of bubble +
+
Sol : For smaller bubble +
 4T  4 3 +
P1   P0   and V1  r +
 r 3
For larger bubble + +
+
+ +
4T  2 4
P2  P0   and V2  R3 Fig .
R 2 0 3
We have already proved that the charged body
q
where   experiences an outward electric pressure given by
4 R 2
2 1
for air in the bubble, P1 V1  P2 V2 P  0 E 2
2 0 2
 4T  3  4T  q2  3 If we treat the surface of the charged body
 P0  r  r   P0  R   2 4 R
 16 R  2 0  flexible, due to the outward pressure it expands as
q2 shown. Inside the body there will be no field.
P0  R3  r 3   4T  R2  r 2   0
322 0 R We know that to expand the charged body
But R = 2r work is done by electric forces in the body. This

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 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

work done in increasing the volume is equal to loss infinity in steps of elemental charge each dq. While
of field energy in the volume dV. bringing the elemental charge the field produced by
the charge on the sphere already accumulated
Now we can write
opposes the charge element. At an instant sphere
dW = PdV has a charge 'q' on it. Due to this charge, potential
The field energy stored in the volume dV is 1 q
of the sphere is V 
dU 4 0 R
given by dU  dW  PdV and P
dV As we brought charge dq to its surface from
dU infinity, work done by the external agency is
 u , which is known as field energy
dV 1 q
density in the electric field. dW = V dq  dq
4 0 R
2 1 Total work done in charging the sphere with
uP  0 E 2
2 0 2 final charge Q in it is given by
If the electric field is uniform in a region, total Q
1 q 1 Q2
field energy stored in a given volume V is given by W   dW   dq  W 
0
4 0 R 4 0 2R
1
U  0 E 2 V So self energy of charged conducting sphere is
2
If the electric field is non uniform in a given Q2
U
8 0 R
region, total field energy stored is given by dU  We can find the self energy from energy
1 density also as explained below
where dU  0 E 2dV
2 We know that energy per unit volume in an
2.17 SELF ENERGY 1 2
electric field is u  0 E .
In the previous topic we have discussed about 2
interaction potential energy of a system of point When the sphere has no charge, there was no
charges. Now let us discuss about self energy of a electric field in its surroundings . But when the
charged body. When a body is charged, all the sphere is charged, there exists an electric field in its
charge on it must be brought from infinity (the surroundings from its surface to infinity.
reference taken by us) onto that body. In doing so, Electric field due to the charged sphere at outer
work has to be done against the electric field of that 1 Q
point is given by E  .
body. This work will be stored in that body in the 40 r 2
form of potential energy which is known as self
energy "Self energy of a charged body is the total
field energy associated with the electric field due to Q
this body in its surrounding". Let us consider two
important cases for which we are going to find self R
r dr
energy.
2.17(a) Self energy of a charged conducting
Consider an elemental spherical shell of radius
sphere:
r and width dr as shown. The volume enclosed in
Consider a conducting sphere of radius R
this shell is
charged with charge Q on it. In the process of
charging, we have to bring charge to the sphere from dV  4r 2 dr
106 AKASH MULTIMEDIA
PHYSICS - II B GAUSS'S LAW

The field energy stored in this volume is Now total field energy inside the sphere will
1 2 Q2 be given as
dU  0 E dV  dr R
2 8 p0 r 2 Q2 r 4 Q2
Total field energy associated with the sphere

Uin  dU in  
8 0 R 6
dr 
40  0 R
0
can be calculated by integrating the above So, total self energy of this sphere is given by
expression from r = R to r   (no electric field
inside the sphere). So, total field energy in the 3Q2
U  U out  U in 
surrounding of the sphere is 20  0 R

Q2 NOTE - 2.18:
U   dU   2
dr Total electrostatic energy of a system of charges
R 8  0 r
is the sum of self energy of all charged bodies and
Q2 interaction energy of all possible pairs of charged
U
8 0 R bodies.

2.17(b) Self energy of a uniformly charged

U total   Uself   Uint eraction
non conducting sphere : NOTE - 2.19:
Consider a non conducting sphere charged A point charge does not have any self energy.
uniformly with a charge Q on it. We know that So for a pair of charges there will be interaction en-
ergy only
outside region of that sphere, every point is same as
If q1 and q2 are two point charges separated by
that of conducting sphere of radius R only. So, the
a distance r, interaction energy of that system is
field energy in the surrounding of this sphere from
Ui  q1V2  q2 V1 .
its surface to infinity can be given as
Q2 Here V2 is potential at q1 due to charge q2 and
Uout  V1 is potential at q2 due to charge q1.
80 R
Problem-2.12
Two uniformly charged conducting spheres of radii
r dr R1 and R2 are charged with charges Q 1 and Q2
respectively seperated by a distance r. Find total
electrostatic energy of this system?
R Solution :
Here U  Uself  Uinteraction
We know that at int erior point of this
sphere, E  0 . So, field energy exists in the interior Q12 Q2
Uself  
region. Consider an elemental shell of radius r and 8 0 R1 8 0 R2
thickness dr as shown. Field energy in the volume 1 Q1Q2
Uinteraction 
1 2 4 0 r
of this shell is given as dU in  0 E dV
2 1  Q12 Q22 2Q1Q2 
2 U    
1  1 Qr  2 Q2 r 4 8 0  R1 R2 r 
 0   4r dr  dr
2  4 0 R3  8 0 R 6 If the two spheres are non conducting, in this case,
3Q12 3Q22
 1 Qr  Uself  
E  for r  R 20 0 R1 20 0 R2
 4 0 R 3 
2 2
  1  3Q1 3Q2 Q1Q2 
 and dV  4 r 2 dr  So, U     
4 0  5R1 5R2 2r 

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 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

Problem-2.13 pulleys P1 and P2. The pulley P1 is in the base of

Two concentric shells of radii R1 and R2 are charged the machine which is run by a motor. The pulley P2
uniformly with charges Q1 and Q2 respectively. Find is at the centre of the spherical shell. The metal combs
the total electrostatic energy of the system. C1 and C2 with sharp ends are mounted on the
Solution: generator as shown. Comb C1 is called emitter comb
U  Uself  Uint eraction and it is held near the lower end of the belt. This is
Q12 Q22 given a high positive potential about 104V with
Uself  
8 0 R1 8 0 R2 respect to the ground. The other comb C2 is called
collector comb and it is placed near the upper end
1 Q1Q2
Uinteraction  of the belt such that its pointed ends touch the belt.
4 0 R 2
The other end is in contact with the inner surface of
2 2
1  Q1 Q2 2Q1Q2  the metal sphere S.
So, U     
8 0  R1 R2 R2  As C1 is given high positive potential with
Problem 2. 14 respect to the earth, it builds positive ions. These
A shell of radius R has a charge Q uniformly distrib- particle charges are sprayed on the belt which carries
uted over it. A point charge q is placed at the centre them to the top. As the positive charges reach C2,
of the shell. Find the work done to increase the radius they are transferred to the metal sphere. This charge
of the shell from R to 2R?
immediately moves to the outer surface of the sphere.
Solution :
Now the uncharged belt runs down to take positive
Ui   Us  Uint  initially charge from C1. This process continues and more
Q2 1 Qq and more charge builds up on the outer surface of
  the spherical shell. As the charge on the shell
8 0 R 4 0 R
increases, its potential also increases. When the shell
Uf   Us  U int  finally is charged to a sufficient potential, the leakage of
Q2 1 Qq charge due to ionisation of surrounding air begins.
 
16 0 R 8 0 R So there is a limiting value of potential to which the
Q Q  shell can be charged.
work done = Ui – Uf  8  R  2  q  + ++ + +
0   + +
+ + Collector Comb(C2)
+ +
2.18 VAN DE GRAAFF GENERATOR +
+ + + Idler pulley (P2)
Whenever a charge is given to a metal body it + +
+ +
will spread on the outer surface of it. If we put a + + +
+ + +
charged metal body inside the hollow metal body Metal sphere +
and the two are connected by a wire, whole of the S + Belt Insulating support
charge of the inner body will flow to the outer +
+
surface of the hollow body. No matter how large +
Emitter comb Driven pulley (P1)
the charge is on the inner body, it completely +
(C1) +
transfers to the outer body. This principle is used in +
+ Motor
Van de Graaff generator. It is used to develop very +
EHT +
+
high charges and intense electric field or very high
voltages.
The figure shows various parts of Van de Graaff NOTE - 2.20 :
generator. It consists of a large spherical metal shell 1. The flux of electric field over a given surface
S mounted on two insulating supports. A belt made
of insulating material is run at high speed over s is given by  E.d s .
s

108 AKASH MULTIMEDIA

PHYSICS - II B
2. Gauss's law is useful in finding the flux linked
with a closed surface or electric field intesity at
q encl
a point. According to this f = ò E.d s = Î0
3. There can be electric field on the gaussian
surface even if charge enclosed by it is zero.
4. Coulomb's inverse square law and Gauss's law
are equivelent.
5. Gauss's law is true only if inverse square law
of electric force is true.
6. Net charge inside a closed Gaussian surface
drawn in any conducting shell is zero.
7. Potential of the earthed conductor is zero.
8. Charge remains constant in any isolated
conductor if it is not earthed
9. Equal and opposite charges appear on opposite
faces of a body due to induction.
10. If two conduct ors are connected by a
conducting wire, they are at the same potential
x LONG ANSWER QUESTONS x a) Outside the shell
1. Define electric flux. State Gauss’s law in
electrostatics. Using Gauss’s law, derive
coulomb’s inverse square law
2. Applying Gauss’s law derive the expression
for electric intensity due to an infinite long
straight charged wire.
3. Applying Gauss’s law derive the expression
for electric intensity due to an infinite plane
sheet of charge.
4. Applying Gauss’s law derive the expression
for electic intensity due to a charged conducting
spherical shell at (a) a point outside the shell
(b) a point on the surface of the shell (c) a point
inside the shell.
x SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS x Ans
1. What do you mean by electric flux ? What is
its SI unit ?
2. State and prove Gauss’s law
3. Derive Coulomb’s law from Gauss’s law
4. Derive Gauss’s law from Coulomb’s law
5. State Gauss’s law and explain its importance
in electrostatics
AKASH MULTIMEDIA
GAUSS'S LAW
6. Applying Gauss’s law show that electric field
inside a charged conductor is zero every where.
x VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS x
1. Write the expression for elctric intensity due to
an infinite long charged wire.
2. Write the expression for elctric intensity due to
an infinite plane sheet of charge.
3. Write the expression for elctric intensity due to
a charged conducting spherical shell at points
outside and inside the shell.
4. Write the expression for electrostatic potential
due to an infinite long charged wire.
5. Write the expression for electrostatic potential
due to an infinite plane sheet of charge.
6. Write the expression for electrostatic potential
due to a charged conducting spherical shell at
points
b) On the surface of the shell and
c) inside the shell.
7. State Gauss law in electrostatics.
x ASSESS YOURSELF x
1. A Gaussian surface does not enclose a charge. Does it
mean that E = 0 on its surface ?
Ans No. There can be electric field on the Gaussian surface
even if the charge enclosed by it is zero. However, the
net flux through the surface will be zero. For instance,
the Gaussian surface may have a point charge outside
it.
2. If electric force between point charged varies inversely
as the cube of the distance, will Gauss’s law be valid?
Ans No. Gauss’s law is only true if inverse square law of
electric force is true
3. Can you give any situation where Gauss’s law cannot
be helpful ?
Consider an electric dipole. The field does have axial
symmetry about the dipole axis but there is no simple
surface over which normal component of E is constant.
So, practically it is difficult to apply Gauss’s law to
such a system even though the law is valid in this
situation.
4. If charge distribution within a Gaussian surface
charges inside it, will electric field strength change
inside and outside the Gaussian surface?
Ans As the total charge inside the Gaussian surface remains
unchanged, the same electric flux will pass through
109
 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

the Gaussian surface. However, due to the change in 

7. We have derived the formula E 
charge distribution, the value of E will change inside 2  0 r considering
as well as outside the Gaussian surface.
only a finite length  of the wire. How are we justified
5. Even though electric flux is a scalar quantity, we in taking the equation valid for the entire wire of
cosider the flux flowing out of a surface as positive infinite length?
and flux entering into the surface as negative. Keeping
this fact in mind answer the following question : Ans This is because, the total charge enclosed will be L
The total electric flux through a Gaussian surface is and total surfrace area will be (2  r) L and L cancels
zero when there is a charge outside the surface. Why is L
it so when the charge produces electric field? out in Eqn. E (2  r) L  , even when  is infinity..
0
Ans The electric field will always be along the direction
away from the charge (assumed positive). But the flux 8. The magnitude of the electric field of an infinite plane
will have both positive and negative values with equal 
magnitudes. Hence total flux will be zero for charge sheet of charge (as given by E  is independent of
0
outside the closed surface.
l
6. In conductors, the outer electrons of each atom or the distance r from the sheet. E  is not followed
molecule are weakly bound to the atom or molecule. r2
So, these electrons are almost free to move throughout here. Can you guess why?
the conductor. Hence, these are called free electrons Ans This is because the entire charge is on the infinite plane
or conduction electrons. When such a conductor is in
and does not depend on the distance r from the plane.
an electric field, the free electrons inside redistribute
themselves on the surface of the conductor in such a
9. Let us consider an infinite plane charged conducting
way that the electric field at everypoint inside the
conductor is zero. plate. Now the charge distributes on both sides of the
Applying Gauss’s law, try to prove that any excess conducting plate. The field of such charged plate
static charge given to an insulated conductor resides arises from the superposition of the fields of two sheets
entirely on its outer surface. of charge. Can you guess the value of E for points
Ans As shown in Fig, consider a conductor of any arbitrary outside the plate? What will be the field inside the
shape having a static charge. At an infinitesimal plate, and why?
distance from the surface of the conductor construct a
Gaussian surface lying inside the conductor. The flux 
through this Gaussian surface must be zero since E is Ans E  and inside the plate E = 0.
0
zero everywhere inside the conductor and on all points
on the Gaussian surface. In accordance with Gauss’s 10. Inside a hollow conducting sphere of charge Q, the
law there can be no net charge inside the Gaussian
electric intensity (E) is zero. But, the potential (V) is
surface.
not zero. How should be the potential inside the
charged conducting sphere to satisfy the condition
Conduct with that E is zero inside?
a Static Charge
Ans The potential should be the same every where inside
dV
Gaussian the sphere so that 0.
Surface dr
11. We have a very senstive electronic instrument and we
This shows that all the net charges must be on the
want to protect it from external electric fields. How ?
surface of the conductor since the Gaussian surface is
within an infinitesimal distance of the surface. Thus Ans We can surround that instrument with a conducting
under static conditions, there can be no net charge box or we can keep that inside the cavity of a conductor.
inside a conducting body and all the charge must reside
By doing so the charge on the box or conductor with
on its surface.
cavity distributes such that net electric field inside the
The fact that the field inside a conductor is zero holds
good for a hollow conductor also. This phenomenon is box or cavity is zero. In this way instrument can be
used in electrostatic shielding to protect electrical protected from the external fields. Do you know ? This
instruments. is called shielding.

110 AKASH MULTIMEDIA

PHYSICS - II B GAUSS'S LAW

SYNOPSIS ii) Alternatively, Gauss law can be stated as the

surface integral of electric field E over a closed
1. ELECTRIC FLUX:
surface is equal to 1/ Î 0 times the charge (q)
The number of lines of force emerging out of a
enclosed by that closed surface.
closed surface in an electric field is called elec-
tric flux.  q
i.e.,    E.dA  
i) Electric flux is a measure of flow of electric 0
field through a surface. q is the total charge enclosed by the Gaussian
ii) Electric flux is equal to the product of an area surface.
element and the perpendicular component of iii) Coulomb’s law can be derived from Gauss law.
 
E , integrated over a surface. iv) The electric field E is the resultant field due to
  all charges, both those inside and those outside
iii) Flux of electric field E through any area A is
defined as the scalar product of area and field. the Gaussian surface.
  v) The electric field due to a charge outside the
  E.A  E A cos  Gaussian surface contributes zero net flux
  through the surface, Because as many lines due
A E to that charge enter the surface as leave it.

dA S1 S2
S4
+ -
iv) In case of a variable electric field or curved
  +Q -Q S3
area,    E.dA

v)) It is a scalar quantity. Its S.I unit is 

E Q
Vm (or )Nm2/C a) Flux from surface S1   
0
vi) For a closed body, outward flux is taken to be
Q
positive while inward flux is taken to be nega- b) Flux from surface S2 
tive. 0
c) Flux from S3 = flux from surface S4 = 0
E 4. APPLICATIONS OF GAUSS LAW :
i) If a dipole is enclosed by a surface
A1 A2
A3

a) Flux through A1 : – Ve -Q +Q
b) Flux through A2 : + Ve
c) Flux through A3 : Zero
 Qenc  0
2. GAUSS LAW :
0
i) According to this law, the total flux linked with
a closed surface called Gaussian surface is ii) The net charge Qenc is the algebraic sum of the
(1/  0 ) times the net charge enclosed by the enclosed positive and negative charges. If Qenc
is positive then the net flux is outwards. If Qenc
closed surface.
is negative then the net flux is inwards.
AKASH MULTIMEDIA 111
 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

vi) If a charge is kept at the corner of a cube

+Q1

+Q2

-Q3
(A)
(B)

1 For enclosing the charge seven more cubes are

 (Q1  Q 2  Q3 )
0 required so total flux from the 8 cube system is
Q
iii) If a closed body (not enclosing any charge) is T  .
0
placed in an electric field (either uniform or non
Q
- uniform) total flux linked with it will be zero Flux from given cube cube  8 .
Y 
0
E Flux from one face opposite to the charge, of
the given cube
Q / 8 0 Q
Sphere face   (Because only three faces
X 3 24  0
a are seen).
a
 A T  0 vii) Electric Field and Potential due to Infinitely
Z  B in  out  Ea2  r  0
long straight charged wire :
iv) If charge is kept at the centre of cube
+
ds1 +
+
+
+
+ B
A +
+
+
Q +
+
+
+
+ E
E +
+
+
+
1 1 +
total  (Q); face  (Q) D +
+ C
0 60 +
+
ds2 +
v) If charge is kept at the centre of a face, first we
should enclose the charge by assuming a Consider an infinitely long thin straight wire,
Gaussian surface (an identical imaginary cube) having a uniform linear charge density ‘  ’.
Electric field at a distance r from the axis of

Q charged wire is E  2  r
0

Electrostatic potential due to infinite long

(A) (B) charged wire at a perpendicular distance ‘r’
Total flux emerges from the system (Two cubes)
Q from it is given by V(r) =   Edr
total 
0
  
Flux from given cube (i.e., from left side 5 V   loge r  K
Q  2  0 
faces only) cube  2
0 Here K is a constant of integration.
112 AKASH MULTIMEDIA
PHYSICS - II B GAUSS'S LAW

viii) Electric field and potential due to infinite   

plane sheet of charge
P1
 P 
3 P2
Consider a thin infinite non-conducting plane 

sheet having uniform surface charge density  .
 
+  
+
+ + ++
++ + The electric field at any points is the sup-
E
+ + E erposition of the fields of two conducting charged
sheets.
A + +
Now resultant field at P1 or P2 is
+ ++
+   
E  
2 0 2 0 0
The electric field due to a thin infinite non-con-
Now reasultant field at inside point P3 is :
ducting plane sheet is
 
 E  0
E  2 0 2 0
2 o and
The electrostatic potential due to a thin infinite Electrostatic potential due to an infinite
conducting sheet of charge at a perpendicular
non conducting plane sheet is
distance r from the sheet is given by

E  K
2 o V  r     E.dr    Edr
where K is constant of integration.    
V  r    dr   r K
ix) Electric field due to two thin infinite plane par- 0  0 
allel sheets of charge :
where K is constant of integation
Consider two large uniformly charged parallel, xi) Electric field and potential due to a charged
plates A and B , having surface charge densi- hollow sphere.
ties  A and  B respectively. Suppose net elec-
tric field at points P, Q and R is to be calcu- The charge on the conducting sphere of radius
lated. R is Q and the surface charge density is s .
+Q +Q +Q
A P
+ ++
+ B + ++ r ++ ++
+ + ++ P
++
+ + ++
+ + + + + + + r +
+ + + + + + + r + + +
EA + + E EA + + EA + R + P +
+ + + + R + R
+ ++ B
+ ++ +
++ + + + + +
EB P + +
+ + Q + +
+ + R EB + + + ++
+ ++ ++ ++
+++
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ + + + + ++ + + ++
+ + (A) Outside (B) At the surface (C) Inside
+ +
a) Out side the sphere: If point P lies outside
1 the sphere,
At P , E P   E A  E B   A   B 
2 0 1 Q R 2
1
E out  . 
4  0 r 2  0 r 2

Q    A    4R 2 
At Q , E Q   E A  E B   A   B 
20 1 Q R 2
and Vout  . 
1 4  0 r 0 r
At R , E R   E A  E B    A  B  b) At the surface of sphere : At surface r = R
2 0
1 Q 
x) Electric field and electric potential So, Es  . 2 
4  0 R 0
due to infinite conducting sheet :
1 Q R
Consider an infinite conducting sheet as shown and Vs  . 
with the same charge density  .
4  0 R  0

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 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

c) Inside the sphere: Inside the conducting

charged sphere, electric field is zero and po- and Vin 
2 2 2
1 Q 3R  r   3R  r

2
 
tential remains constant every where and equals 4  0 2R 3 60
to the potential at the surface.
At centre r = 0 so, Vcentre 
3 1 Q 3
E in  0 and Vin  constant  Vs  .  Vs
2 4  0 R 2
Graph i.e Vcentre  Vsurface  Vout

R R
O O
R
R O
O
E Eout 
1 Vs Vout 
1
r2 r
Vs Vout 
1
Ein = 0 Vin =const E 1
Eout  r
2
r
O O r=R
Vin ¹ 0
r=R Ein = 0
(A) (B)
O r=R
O r=R (B)
xii) Uniformly charged non- conducting sphere: (A)
Suppose charge Q is uniformly distributed in
the volume of a non - conducting sphere of
radius R as shown below.
EXERCISE-I i
+Q
1. Inside a charged hollow spherical conductor,
P +Q +Q
+ ++
++ r ++ ++ + ++ P + + ++ the potential
+ + + + ++ +
+ + r
+ +
+ R + + + + r + + + P ++ 1) is constant
+ + + R + + + + R+ +
++
+++ +
++ ++
+
++ ++
2) varies directly as the distance from the centre
++++ + + ++ + + + + ++
(A) Outside (B) At the surface (C) Inside 3) varies inversely as the distance from the
centre
a) Outside the sphere: If point P lies Outside 4) varies inversely as the square of the distance
1 Q 1 Q from the centre.
the sphere E out  4 . 2 and Vout  4  . r
0 r 0 2. For a given surface the Gauss’s Law is stated
If the sphere has uniform volume charge as
Q
 E  ds  0 . From this we can conclude
density   4 that :
R 3 1) E is necessarily zero on the surface
3
2) E is perpendicular to the surface at every
R 3 3
Then E out  and Vout  R point
3 0 r 2 3 0 r 3) the total flux through the surface is zero
b) At the surface of sphere: At surface r = R 4) the flux is only going out of the surface
3. It is not convenient to use a spherical Gaussian
1 Q R surface to find the electric field due to an
Es  . 2 
4 0 R 3 0 electric dipole using Gauss’s theorem because:
1) Gauss’s law fails in this case
1 Q R2
and Vs  .  2) This problem does not have spherical
4 0 R 3 0 symmetry
c) Inside the sphere:At a distance r from the 3) Coulomb’s law is more fundamental than
Gauss’s law
1 Qr r 4) Spherical Gaussian surface will alter the
centre E in  .    E in  r
4  0 R 3 3 0 dipole moment
114 AKASH MULTIMEDIA
PHYSICS - II B GAUSS'S LAW

4. An ellipsoidal cavity is carved with in a 9. An electric dipole is put in north-south

perfect conductor. A positive charge q is
placed at the centre of the cavity. The points
A and B are on the cavity surface as shown
in the figure then (IIT-screening-99)
a) Electric field near A in the cavity = Electric
field near B in the cavity
b) Charge density at A = Charge density at B
c) Potential at A = Potential at B
d) Total electric flux through the surface of the
cavity is q/ e0 .
1) a,b,c,d are correct
A
2) a,b,c are correct
q B
3) only a and b are correct
4) only c and d are correct
5. A metallic shell has a point charge ‘q’ kept
inside its cavity. Which one of the following
diagrams correctly represents electric lines
of forces
1) 2)
direction in a sphere filled with water. Which
statement is correct :
1) electric flux is coming towards sphere
2) electric flux is coming out of sphere
3) electric flux entering into sphere and leaving
the sphere are same
4) water does not permit electric flux to enter
into sphere
10. Two small spheres each carrying a charge q
are placed r metre apart. If one of the spheres
is taken around the other one in a circular
path of radius r, the work done will be equal
to (CPMT 1975, 91, 2001; NCERT 1980, 83;
EAMCET 1994; MP PET 1995;
MNR 1998; pb PMT 2000)
1) Force between them  r
2) Force between them 2r
3) Force between them / 2r
4) zero
11. Find the total flux due to charge q associated
with the given hemispherical surface

3) 4) a) b)
q q

6. If a charge is enclosed by the surface of the

sphere then total flux emitted from the c) q d)
q
surface will be :
1) (the charge enclosed by surface) / 0 q
2) (charge enclosed by surface) 0
e)
3) (charge enclosed by surface) / 40
4) 0
7. Gauss’s law is true only if force due to a q q
charge varies as : 1)  a  2  ,  b 0,  c   ,  d  0,  e  0
0 0
1) r–1 2) r–2 3) r–3 4) r–4
8. A charge of Q coulomb is placed on a solid q q
piece of metal of irregular shape. The charge 2)  a  0,  b  2  ,  c  0,  d   ,  e  0
0 0
will distribute itself
1) Uniformly in the metal object q q q
3)  a  2  ,  b  ,  c  0,  d   ,  e  0
2) Uniformly on the surface of the object 0 0 0
3) Such that the potential energy of the system
is minimised q q q
4)  a  0,  b 2  ,  c  0,  d   ,  e  
4) Such that the total heat loss is minimised. 0 0 0

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 Gauss's Law PHYSICS - II B

12. A : A metallic shield in the form of a hollow 2. The electric field in a region of space is given
shell may be built to block an electric field. by E  5i  2 j N / C. The electric flux due to
R : In a hollow spherical shield, the electric this field through an area 2m2 lying in the YZ
field inside it is zero at every point. plane, in S.I. units, is
(AIIMS 2001) 1) 10 2) 20 3) 10 2 4) 2 29
1) Both ‘A’ and ‘R’ are true and ‘R’ is the correct
3. A charge Q is situated at the centre of a cube.
explanation of ‘A’.
The electric flux through one of the faces of
2) Both ‘A’ and ‘R’ are true and ‘R’ is not the the cube is
correct explanation of ‘A’
1) Q /  0 2) Q / 2  0 3) Q / 4  0 4) Q / 6  0
3) ‘A’ is true and ‘R’ is false
4) ‘A’ is false and ‘R’ is true 4. Electric field due to an infinite sheet of charge
having surface charge density  is E. Electric
13. A thin spherical shell of radius R has charge field due to an infinite conducting sheet of
Q spread uniformly over its surface. Which same surface density of charge is
of the following graphs most closely
1) E/2 2) E 3) 2E 4) 4E
represents the electric field E(r) produced by
the shell in the range 0  r<  , where r is the 5. The magnitude of the electric field on the
distance from the centre of the shell ? surface of a sphere of radius r having a
(2008-AIEEE) uniform surface charge density  is
E(r) E(r) 1)  / 0 2)  / 2  0 3)  /  0 r 4)  / 2  0 r
6. If the electric flux entering and leaving an
1) 2) enclosed surface respectively is  1 and  2 ,
the electric charge inside the surface will be
O R r O R r
(AIEEE-2003)
1) 2  1   0 2) 1   2  /  0
E(r) E(r)
3) 2  1  /  0 4) 1   2   0
3) 4) 7. If a hemispherical body is placed in a uniform
O r electric field E then the flux linked with the
R O R r
curved surface is
ANSWERS
E
1) 1 2) 3 3) 2 4) 2 5) 3
6) 1 7) 2 8) 3 9) 3 10) 4
11) 1 12) 1 13) 1
B
EXERCISE-IIA i
(CLASS WORK)
n
1. Caluclate the net flux emerging from given 2 2
1) 2 R E 2) R E
enclosed sur face - Nm2 C–1
3) 4R 2 E 4) 6 R 2 E
+2C 8. The electric flux through a Gaussian surface
+5C that encloses three charges given by
-3C q1 = – 14 nC, q2 = 78.85 nC, q3 = – 56 nC
1) 103 Nm2 C–1 2) 103 CN–1 m–2
1) 4.5 × 1013 2) 45 × 1012 3) 6.32 × 103 Nm2 C–1
3) zero 4) 1.12 × 1012 4) 6.32 × 103 CN–1 m–2
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9. Two conducting spheres of radii R1 and R2 15. A point charge +Q is located at a distance of
are at the same potential. The electric r from the centre of an uncharged conducting
intensities on their surfaces are in the ratio of sphere of radius R. The electric potential of
2 2
1) 1 : 1 2) R1 : R2 3) R2 : R1 4) R1 : R2 that sphere is
10. Two concentric metallic shells are of radii r1 1 Q
and r 2 (r 2 > r 1 ). If charge given to outer 1) 4   R 2) zero
0
sphere is q, and the inner sphere is ground.
1 Q 1 2Q
Then the charge on the inner sphere q1 is 3) 4   2R 4) 4   R
1) Zero 0 0

2) – q r2 16. In the above problem, find the electric field

r1 r1
and electric potential at the centre of the
3) – r q sphere due to induced charges on the sphere?
2
r1 1 Q 1 Q
4) r q 1) 4   2 and 0 2) 0 and 4   R
2 0 R 0
11 Consider two concentric conducting spheres, 1 Q 1 Q
the outer sphere is hollow and the inner 3) 4   2 and 4   R 4) 0 and 0
sphere is solid. Initially they are given a 0 R 0
charge –7Q and a charge + 2Q respectivley
ANSWERS
then the charges on the outer surface and
inner surface of the outer sphere is 1) 1 2) 1 3) 4 4) 3 5) 1
1) 2Q,  7Q 2) 2Q,  9Q 6) 1 7) 2 8) 1 9) 3 10) 3
3) 2Q,  5Q 4) 2Q,  5Q 11) 3 12) 1 13) 1 14) 1 15) 1
16) 2
12 An infinitely long thin straight wire has
uniform linear charge density of 1/3 coul.m–1.
Then the magnitude of the electric intensity
EXERCISE – IIB i
(HOME WORK)
at a point 18 cm away is (2008-E)
1) 0.33 × 1011 NC–1 2) 3 × 1011 NC–1 1. The number of electric lines of force
originating from a charge of 1C is
3) 0.66 × 1011 NC–1 4) 1.32 × 1011 NC–1
1) 1.129×1011 2) zero
13. A charge q is placed at the centre of the open –11
3) 1.129×10 4) 1.129×1010
end of cylinderical vessel. Find the flux of
the electric field through the surface of the 2. A cube of side l is placed in a uniform field E,
vessel. where E = E î . The net electric flux through
q q q the cube is (Haryana CEE-1996)
1) 2  2)  3) 3  4) zero
0 0 0 1) Zero 2) l2E 3) 4l2E 4) 6l2E
14. In a uniform electric field find the total flux 3. A point charge +q is placed at the centre of a
associated with the given surfaces cube of side L. The electric flux emerging
from the cube is
a) E
(CBSE PMT-96; BCECE-2003; AIEEE-2002)
E q 6qL2 q
1)  2) Zero 3) 4)
0 0 6L2  0
b) c)
4 A long thin flat sheet has a uniform surface
1) a - 0,b - 0,c - 0 charge density  . The magnitude of the
2) a  0,b  ( R 2 E),c  0 electric field at a distance ‘ r ‘ from it is given
3) a  2 RE, b  (R 2 E),c  0 by (RAJ PET-1996)
4) a  R 2 E, b  0,c  0 1)  /  0 2)  / 2  0 3)  /  0 r 4)  / 2  0 r

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5 A charge of 8.85C is placed at the centre of a 11 Figure shows two concentric, conducting
spherical Guassian surface of radius 5 cm. shells of radii r and 2r. The outer shell is given
The electric flux through the surface is a charge Q. The amount of charge that will
flow from inner shell to earth when it is
1) 1012 V/m 2) 10–12 V/m
grounded is : Q
3) 108 V/m 4) 1010 V/m
Q Q
6. The inward and outward electric flux for a 1)  2)  r
2 2
closed surface in units ofN–m2 /C are
respectively 8 × 103 and 4 × 103 . Then the 3) –2Q 4) + 2Q 2r
total charge inside the surface in S.I. units is
(where o = permitivity in free space ) 12. A point charge q is placed at a distance r from
(KCET-2003, MP PMT-2002) the centre of an uncharged conducting sphere
1) 4 × 103 2) – 4 × 103 of radius R(< r). The potential at any point
on the sphere is :
4  103  1 q
3) 4) 4  103 o
0 1) Zero 2) 4   r
0
7. If a charge q is placed at the centre of a 1 qR 1 qr 2
hemispherical body as shown below then the 3) 4   2 4)
0 r 4  0 R
flux linked with the circular surface is
13. Find the flux due to the electric field through
the curved surface (R is radius of curvatrure)

E
B a)
^n

q q 2q q
1)  2) 2 3)  4) 2 E
0 0 0 0

8 The total flux linked with unit negative charge b)

put in air is
1 1
1) out wards 2) inwards
0 0 E

1 1 c)
3) outwards 4) inwards
4 0 4 0
 Radial field with same intensity 
9. Two square plates are at potential difference 1) a  0,b  0,c  2 R 2 E
of 100V separated by 2 cm . calculate electric 2) a  R 2 E,b  0,c  2R 2 E
intensity between them
3) a  0,b  0,c  0
1) 5  10 3 2) 5000 3) 200 4) 98
4) a  R 2 E,b  R 2 E,c  2 R 2 E
10 Two isolated, charged conducting spheres of
14. The length of each side of a cubical closed
r adii R1 and R2 produce the same electric field
surface is L metre. If charge 48C is situated
near their surfaces. The ratio of electric at one of the corners of the cube, Find the
potentials on their surfaces is flux passing through the cube. (In Volt-metre)
R1 R2 R12 R 22 6 3 48 8
1) R 2) R 3) 4) 1)  2)  3)  4) 
2 1 R 22 R12 0 0 0 0
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15. A charge q is distributed uniformly on a ring 3. Surface charge density of soap bubble of
of radius R. A sphere of equal radius R is radius ‘r’ and surface tension T is  . If P is
constructed with its centre at the periphery excess pressure, the value of  is
of the ring, Find the flux of the electric field 3 1
 4T  2  4T  2
through the surface of the sphere 1) 0   P 2) 2 0   P
sphere  r   r 
1
 2
4T  2T 
ring 3) 4)  4 0   P 
r  r 
q q q
1)  2) 2  3) 3  4) zero. 4. Two parallel plane sheets 1 and 2 carry
0 0 0 uniform charge densities  1 and  2 as in fig.
16. A cube is arranged such that its length, electric field in the region marked II is
breadth and height are along X,Y and Z  1  2 
1   2  s1 s2
directions. One of its corners is situated at
1)  2  +
+
+
+
the origin. Length of each side of the cube is 0 + +
+ +
25 cm. The components of electric field are + +
1 2  +
+
+
+
E x  400 2 N/C, Ey=0 and Ez= 0 respectively.. 2) + +
I + II + III
20 +
Find the flux coming out of the cube at one +
+ +
+ +
end. 1  2  + +
+
+
3) 2 0
+
+
+
+
25 + +
1) 25 2) 3) 25 2 4) zero Sheet 1 Sheet 2
2 1   2 
4) 20
ANSWERS
5. Electric charge is uniformly distributed along
1) 1 2) 1 3) 1 4) 2 5) 1 a long straight wire of radius 1 mm. The
6) 4 7) 2 8) 2 9) 2 10) 1 charge per cm length of the wire is Q coulomb.
11) 2 12) 2 13) 2 14) 1 15) 3 Another cylindrical surface of radius 50 cm
16) 3 and length 1 m symmetrically encloses the
wire as shown in the figure. The total electric
EXERCISE-III i flux passing through the cylindrical surface
is (MP PET-2001)
1. A solid metallic sphere has a charge + 3Q.
+
Concentric with this sphere is a conducting Q +
+
sphericl shell having charge -Q. The radius 1) 
0
of the sphere is a and that of the spherical
shell is b. (b>a). What is the electric field at a 100Q 1m

distance R (a < R < b) from the centre. 2) 0

Q 3Q 3Q 4Q +
1) 2 R 2) 2 R 3) 2 4) + 50 cm
0 0 4  0 R 2 0 R 2 10Q + 100Q
3)    4)   
2. A cylinder of radius R and length L is placed 0 0
in a uniform electric field E parallel to the 6. Eight dipoles of charges of magnitude e are
cylinder axis. The total flux from the curved placed inside a cube. The total electric flux
surface of the cylinder is given by coming out of the cube will be
1) 2 R 2 E 2) R 2 / E (MP PMT/PET 1998)
 R 2   R  8e 16e e
3) 4) zero 1)  2)  3)  4) Zero
E 0 0 0

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7. q1, q2, q3 and q4 are point charges located at 11. A charge 'q' is distributed over two concen-
points as shown in the figure and S is a tric hollow conducting sphere of radii r and
spherical Gaussian surface of radius R. Which R ( > r) such that their surface charge densites
of the following is true according to the are equal. The potential at their common centre
Gauss’s law (AMU-2002) is
q r  R
S 1) Zero 2) 4  0 r 2  R 2 2
 
q1 R
q3
q4 q 1 1  q  rR 
4) 4   2 
q2
3) r  R
40   
0  r R
2
 
    q1  q 2  q3
1)   E1  E2  E3  .dA  20
12. Two concentric sphere of radii r1 and r2 carry
charges q1 and q2 respectively. If the surface
     q1  q 2  q 3  charge density  is same for both spheres,
2)   E1  E 2  E3  .dA  0
the electric potential at the common centre
will be
     q1  q 2  q 3  q 4   r1  r2
3)   E1  E 2  E3  .dA  0 1)  r
o 2
2)  r
o 1
4) None of the above  
3)   r1  r2  4)   r1  r2 
8. Shown below is a distribution of charges. The o o
flux of electric field due to these charges 13. A hollow sphere of radius 2R is charged to V
through the surface S is (AIIMS-2003) volts and another smaller sphere of radius R
1) 3q/  0 is charged to V/2 volts. Now the smaller
+q +q sphere is placed inside the bigger sphere
2) 2q /  0 without changing the net charge on each
+q sphere. The potential difference between the
3) q/  0 4) Zero two spheres would be :
9. Two concentric spherical shells of radii R and 3V V V
1) 2) 3) 4) V
2R carry charges Q and 2Q respectively. 2 4 2
Change in electric potential on the outer shell 14. Two concentric thin metallic spheres of radii
when both are connected by a conducing wire R1 and R2 (R1 > R2) bear charges Q1 and Q2
respectively. Then the potential at radius r
 1 
is  K  4  between R1 and R2 will be (k  1 / 4  o )
 0 Q Q 
 Q1  Q 2  k 1  2 
1) k  
 2)
3KQ KQ 2KQ r  r R2 
1) zero 2) 3) 4)
2R R R  Q 2 Q1   Q1 Q 2 
3) k  r  R  4) k  R  R 
10. A thin spherical conducting shell of radius R  1  1 2
has a charge q. Another charge Q is placed 15. A point charge Q is placed inside a conducting
at the centre of the shell. The electrostatic spherical shell of inner radius 3R and outer
potential at a point P at a distance R/2 from radius 5R at a distance R from the centre of
the centre of the shell is (AIEEE 2003) the shell. The electric potential at the centre
2Q 2Q 2q of the shell will be.
1) 4  R 2) 4  R  4 R 1 Q 1 5Q
1) 4  . R 2) 4  . 6R
o o o
0 0
2Q q q  Q 2 1 13Q 1 7Q
3) 4  R  4  R 4) 4  R 3) 4  . 15R 4) 4  . 9R
o o o
0 0
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16. Assume three concentric, conducting spheres 20. Two point charges q and -q are seperated by
where charge q1 and q2 have been placed on a distance 2L. Find the flux of the electric field
inner and outer sphere where as middle vector across the circle of raduis R is shown.
sphere has been earthed. Find the charge on
^
the outer surface of middle spherical R –q
conductor
+q1 +q2 +q< L >< L >
b a
O

q  d  q  d 
c 1) 2  1  2 2  2)  1  2 2 
b b 
0  d  r  0 
 d  r 
1) q2 2) – q1 3) – q2 4) q1
c a
2q  d 
17. There are three concetric thin spherical shells 3)  1  2 2  4) Zero
A, B and C of radii R, 2R, and 3R. Shells A 0 
 d  r 
and C are given charges q and 2q and shell B 21. In a region, electric field depends on X-axis
is earthed. Then which of the given is correct ?
as E= E 0 x2. There is a cube of edge a as
4 shown. Then find the charge enclosed in that
1) charge on inner surface of shell C is q
3 cube.
4 y
2) charge on outer surface of shell B is – q
3 E
2 a
3) charge on outer surface of shell C is q a
3
4) all the above x
18. A point charge q is a distance r from the 2n
centre O of an uncharged spherical a
z
conducting layer, whose inner and outer radii
equal to a and b respectively. The potential 1) 50 a 4 E0 2) 30 a 4 E0
q 3) 40 a 4 E0 4) Zero
at the point O if r < a is 4  times
0
22. A charged ball hangs from silk thread which
 1 1 1  1 1 1 makes an angle '  ' with large charged
1)     2)    
r a b a r b conducting sheet ‘P’ as shown. The surface
 1 1 1  1 1 1 charge density     of the sheet is
3)     4)    
b c r a b r proportional to
19. Three concentric spherical metal shells A, B, +
C of radii a, b, c (c > b > a) have surface P +
+ 
charge density  ,  and  respectively.. +
 +
The potential of the middle shell is  times +
 0 +


c
1) cos q 2) cot q 3) sin q 4) tan q
a
b
A ANSWERS
B
C 1) 3 2) 4 3) 2 4) 4 5) 2
 a2  6) 4 7) 2 8) 2 9) 1 10) 3
1)  b  b  c  2)  a  b  c 
  11) 4 12) 4 13) 2 14) 3 15) 3
 a  b  c2 
2 2  c2  16) 1 17) 4 18) 1 19) 1 20) 4
3)   4)  a  b 
 c   b  21) 1 22) 4

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COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS 5. In the question above, what will be the flux

through the same square if the plane of the
I. Comprehension (Q.no 1-6) square makes an angle of 300 with the
Gauss’s theorem states that the surface inte- x-axis?
gral of the electrostatic field E over a closed
surface due to any sources is proportional to 1) 30 NC-1m2 2) 15 3 NC -1 m2
the net charge q contained inside surface, i.e.
3) 15 2 NC -1 m2 4) 15 NC-1m2
q
 E  ds=  0 6. In the question above, what is the flux
where ds is an element of area directed along through the square if its plane lies in the x-y
the outward drawn normal to the surface at plane?
every point. The integral is called the electric 1) zero 2) 5 NC-1m2
flux. Any convenient surface that we choose 3) 15 NC-1m2 4) 30 NC-1m2
to evaluate the surface integral is called the
Gaussian surface. II. Comprehension (Q.no 7-8) :
The electric field in a region is given by
1. Gauss’s theorem in electrostatics states that
E   x i . Here is  is a constant of proper
q
electric flux  E  ds= where S is the dimensions.
0
Gaussian surface. The electric filed E is due Y
to all the charges B F
A E
1) both inside and outside the surface S
2) outside the surface S X
3) inside the surface S C G
4) on the surface S D H
Z
2. In the question above, q is the algebraic sum
of all the charges 7. Find the total flux passing through a cube
bounded by the surfaces
1) both inside and outside the surface S
2) outside the surface S x =  , x = 2  , y = 0, y =  , z = 0, z =  .
3) inside the surface S 1) 3 2) 2 3
4) on the surface S 3) 33 4) 43
3. The SI unit of electric flux is 8. The charge contained inside the above cube
1) Vm-1 2) Vm is
2)  0 3
-1 2
3) NC m 4) 2 or 3 1) 2 0 3
4. Consider a uniform electric field 3) 4 0 3 4) 3 0 3
E=3  10 3 ˆiNC-1 . What is the flux through a
square of sidee 10 cm whose plane is parallel ANSWERS
to the y-z plane? 1) 1 2) 3 3) 4 4) 1 5) 4
1) 30 NC-1m2 2) 20 NC-1m2
3) 10 NC m -1 2
4) zero 6) 1 7) 1 8) 2

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