APPLIED PHYSICS

By: Engr. Syed Wamiq Ali Jafri

Lecture 3
 GAUSS’ LAW
• Φ = Φ1 + Φ 2 + Φ3 - - - - Φn
• Φ =∮[E ⋅ dA]
• Φ =q/ϵ0
• Φ =q1/ϵ0 + q2/ϵ0 + q3/ϵ0 - - - qn/ϵ0

• Φ = Q/ϵ0

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Q: Three charges of 14 nC, 78.85 nC and 56 nC enclose in a surface,
Calculate the electric flux through the surface?

Data:

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APPLICATIONS OF GAUSS’ LAW

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A SPERICAL SHELL OF CHARGE
 A SPERICAL SHELL OF CHARGE
Φ = ∮[E ⋅ dA]
Φ=E⋅A A=4 π r2
Φ = E ⋅ 4 π r2
Φ = 4 π E r2_______ eq 1
A/c to Gauss' Law
Φ = q/ϵ0 _______ eq 2

Compare eq 1 and eq 2,
E = Q/4π r2 ϵ0

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 A SPERICAL SHELL OF CHARGE
We use Gauss’ law to establish two useful properties of this
distribution, which can be summarized in the following two shell
theorems:

1. A uniform spherical shell of charge behaves, for external points, as if

all its charge were concentrated at its center.

2. A uniform spherical shell of charge exerts no electrostatic force on a

charged particle placed inside the shell.
A SPERICAL SHELL OF CHARGE
 A SPERICAL SHELL OF CHARGE
These two theorems apply only in the case of a uniformly charged shell.
If the charges were sprayed on the surface in a non uniform manner,
such that the charge density were not constant over the surface, these
theorems would not apply. The symmetry would be lost, and as a result
E could not be removed from the integral in Gauss’ law.
Q: The magnitude of the average electric field normally present in the
atmosphere just above the surface of the earth is about 150 N/C,
directed towards the earth. This gives the total net surface charge
carried by the earth to be?
Data:
Data:

E= 150 N/C
q= ?
Earth
r= 6.37×106 kg
INFINITE LINE OF CHARGE

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 INFINITE LINE OF CHARGE
The problem therefore has cylindrical symmetry, and so as a Gaussian
surface we choose a circular cylinder of radius r and length h, closed at
each end by plane caps normal to the axis. E is constant over the
cylindrical surface and perpendicular to the surface. The flux of E
through this surface is E(2pierh), where 2pierh is the area of the
surface. There is no flux through the circular caps because E here is
parallel to the surface at every point, so that E.dA = 0 everywhere on
the caps.

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 INFINITE LINE OF CHARGE
The charge q enclosed by the Gaussian surface is LEMDA h. Gauss’ law
then gives

λ=q/h

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INFINITE SHEET OF CHARGE

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 INFINITE SHEET OF CHARGE
• A portion of a thin, non conducting, infinite sheet of charge of constant
surface charge density a (charge per unit area). We calculate the electric
field at points near the sheet.
• A convenient Gaussian surface is a closed cylinder of cross-sectional
area A, arranged to pierce the plane as shown. From symmetry, we can
conclude that E points at right angles to the end caps and away from the
plane. Since E does not pierce the cylindrical surface, there is no
contribution to the flux from the curved wall of the cylinder. We assume
the end caps are equidistant from the sheet, and from symmetry the field
has the same magnitude at the end caps.

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 INFINITE SHEET OF CHARGE
The flux through each end cap is EA and is positive for both. Gauss’ law
gives

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