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General Physics 2

Quarter 3 – Module 2 (Week 2)

Gauss’s Law
Electric Potential
What This Module is About
This module demonstrates your understanding the concept of Gauss’s Law and electric
potential to be used rich context problems.

What I Need to Know

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Use Gauss’s law to infer electric field due to uniformly distributed charges on long wires,
spheres, and large plates STEM_GP12EMIIIb-13
2. Solve problems involving electric charges, dipoles, forces, fields, and flux in contexts such
as, but not limited to, systems of point charges, electrical breakdown of air, charged
pendulums, electrostatic ink-jet printers STEM_GP12EM IIIb-14
3. Relate the electric potential with work, potential energy, and electric field STEM_GP12EM - IIIb -15
4. Determine the electric potential function at any point due to highly symmetric continuous - charge
distributions STEM_GP12EM - IIIc -17

How to Learn from this Module

Below, are guide steps for you to attain the learning competencies in going about the module.

1. Read the lessons and follow the instructions carefully.

2. Take the pretest to determine how much you know about the content. A multiple-choice test
was provided for you. Be honest.

3. Perform all the activities diligently to help you understand the topic.
4. Take the assessment test (post-test) at the end of the module.

What I Know
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. An electric field intensity due to an infinite plane sheet of charge is

a. σ/εo b. q/3εo c. σ/2εo d. q/εo
2. The electric flux lines due to an infinite sheet of charge is
a. converging c. uniform and perpendicular to the sheet
b. radial d. uniform and parallel to the sheet
3. The total flux across a closed surface enclosing charge is independent of
a. shape of the closed surface
b. volume of the enclosure
c. actual spatial argument of charges within the surface
d. all the above
4. Which of the following is the total electric flux over any closed surface
a. εo b. q2/εo c. εo/q d. q/εo
5. The electric intensity due to an infinitely long plane sheet of a conductor at a point close to its
surface is
a. independent of r c. proportional to 1/r2
b. proportional to 1/r d. inversely proportional to 1/r
6. Which of the following describes the electric intensity at any point between two identical
conducting plates connected to a DC supply source.
a. It is directly proportional to distance between the plates
b. It is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the plates
c. It is uniform directed from positive to negative plates
d. It is inversely proportional to the distance between the plates
7. What is the total flux through the sphere if the Gaussian sphere closes an electric dipole within it.
a. half that due to a single charge c. double due to a single charge
b. zero dependent of the position of the dipole
8. Factors affecting the total electric flux through a closed surface
a. location of the charge only
b. shape of the closed surface only
c. value of the net charge only
d. both on the location of the charge and the shape of the surface
9. What is the electrical intensity if a Gaussian encloses a positive charge Q is placed at its
center?
a. at very point on the surface is different
b. is zero everywhere
c. at every point on the surface is same but it acts radially outwards
d. is same and acts radially inwards
10. What is the electric field intensity outside two charged parallel plates ?
a. σ/2εo b. σ/ε c. infinity d. 0
11.What is the electric field intensity in between two charged parallel plates
a. σ/2εo b. σ/εo c. -σ/2εo d. 0
12. Which law is the basis of Divergence theorem
a. Gauss law b. Stoke’s law c. Ampere law d. Lenz law
13. What is the Gaussian surface for a line charge
a. Sphere b. Cylinder c. Cube d. Cuboid
14. Which of the following is the Gaussian surface for a point charge
a. Cube b. Cylinder c. Sphere d. Cuboid
15. What is the net flux crossing the surface of a circular disc of radius 5m with a surface charge
density ρs = 10sinφ enclosed by surface.?
a. 3 b. 2 c. 1 d. 0
16. What is the total charge of a surface with densities 1,2,…,10?
a. 11 b.33 c.55 d. 77
17. The work done by a charge of 10μC with a potential 4.386 is (in μJ)
a. 32.86 b. 43.86 c. 54.68 d. 65.68
18. The potential of a coaxial cylinder with charge density 1 unit , inner radius 1m and outer
cylinder 2m is (in 109)
a. 12.74 b. 13.47 c. 12.47 d. 13.74
19. Which of the following quantity is not related to Gauss law?
a. Electric field intensity c. Electric flux density
b. Charge d. Permittivity
20. Which of the following is the variable of Gauss?
a. Permittivity c. Permeability
b. Radius of Gaussian surface d. Electric potential

What Is It
Complete the sentence below by choosing from the box below.
1. A ____________ electric charge generates a positive electric field.
2. The electric flux through any closed surface is proportional to the ___________closed by this
surface.
3. Gauss’s law tells us that the net electric flux through any closed surface is __________unless
the volume bounded by that surface contains a net charge.
4. The _______________density refers to charges which flow freely under the application of an
electric field; i.e. they produce a current which is divergence-free.
5. The ______________ density refers to electrical charges attributed to electrical polarization
Bounded-charge free-charge positive
negative zero infinite
Total electric charge half of the electric charge

What’s New

Gauss's Law

The total of the electric flux out of a closed surface is equal to the charge enclosed
divided by the permittivity.

The electric flux through an area is defined as the electric

field multiplied by the area of the surface projected in a plane
perpendicular to the field. Gauss's Law is a general law
applying to any closed surface. It is an important tool since it
permits the assessment of the amount of enclosed charge by
mapping the field on a surface outside the charge distribution.
For geometries of sufficient symmetry, it simplifies the
calculation of the electric field.
Gauss' Law, Integral Form
The area integral of the electric field over any closed surface is equal to the net charge enclosed
in the surface divided by the permittivity of space. Gauss' law is a form of one of Maxwell's
equations, the four fundamental equations for electricity and magnetism.

Gauss' law permits the evaluation of the electric field in many practical situations by forming a
symmetric Gaussian surface surrounding a charge distribution and evaluating the electric flux
through that surface.

Applications of Gauss' Law

Gauss' law is a powerful tool for the calculation of electric fields when they originate from
charge distributions of sufficient symmetry to apply it.

Sample Problems
1
Electric Potential

The "flow" of the electric field is "caused" by a difference in electric potential.

Non-calculus

Start from the work-energy theorem. When work is done (W), energy changes (∆E).
W = ∆E
More specifically, when work is done against the electric force (FE), electric potential energy
changes (∆UE). Recall that work is force times displacement (d). There's a bar over the force
symbol to indicate that we'll be using the average value. This is one of the limitations of
derivations done without calculus.

FEd = ∆UE
Divide both sides by charge (q).
1 1 ∆U
F d=
q E q E

Rearrange things a bit.

F ∆U
E d = E
q q
The ratio of force to charge on the left is called electric field (E).
The ratio of energy to charge on the right is called electric potential (V). T

F ∆U
E ∆V
E E
= =
q Q

The electric field is the force on a test charge divided by its charge for every location in space.
Because it's derived from a force, it's a vector field. The electric potential is the electric potential
energy of a test charge divided by its charge for every location in space. Because it's derived
from an energy, it's a scalar field. These two fields are related.

The electric field and electric potential are related by displacement. Field times displacement is
potential…

Ed = ∆V

or field is potential over displacement, if you prefer.

∆
E= V
d

In fancy calculus language, field is the gradient of potential — because the real world is fancy,
by which I mean three-dimensional. Gradient is the three dimensional equivalent of a slope. An
ordinary slope is one-dimensional, because a line is one-dimensional (even if it's not straight).
There's only one decision to make when moving along a curve.

In normal euclidean space, we have three options. Up or down? Left or right? Forward or
backward?

Calculus

Start from the work-energy theorem. When work is done (W), energy changes (∆E).
W = ∆E
More specifically, when work is done against the electric force (FE), electric potential energy
changes (∆UE). Recall that work is the force-displacement integral.
⌠
− F E · dr = ∆UE
⌡
Divide both sides by charge (q).
1⌠ 1 ∆U
− F E · dr =
q⌡ q E

Rearrange things a bit.

−⌠ F · dr = ∆U
 E E
⌡
q q
The ratio of force to charge on the left is called electric field (E).

The ratio of energy to charge on the right is called electric potential (V).

F ∆U
E ∆V
E E
= =
q q

The electric field is the force on a test charge divided by its charge for every location in space.
Because it's derived from a force, it's a vector field. The electric potential is the electric potential
energy of a test charge divided by its charge for every location in space. Because it's derived
from an energy, it's a scalar field. These two fields are related.

The electric field and electric potential are related by a path integral that works for all sorts of
situations. My advice when working with a path integral is to always pick the easiest path to
work with. Electricity is a conservative force, so the work done by it doesn't depend on the path
taken. This equation says something more astounding. The integral on the left is so path
independent that its value depends only upon the electric potential at the beginning and end of
the path. If you can find those two numbers and subtract them, you've done the whole integral. If
more integrals worked this way, students wouldn't get so hung up on calculus.

⌠
E · dr = ∆
−
V
⌡

Electric field and electric potential are also related by a derivative that works for one
dimensional situations only — situations with spherical, cylindrical, or planar symmetry.

d
E = − d V r̂
r

In fancier calculus terms, field is the gradient of potential — because the real world is fancier
than a one-dimensional problem. The gradient is the equivalent of a derivative in higher
dimensions (two and three dimensions). This relationship works for all kinds of symmetry and
non-symmetry.

E = −∇V
The Greek letter delta looks like a triangle pointing upward (∆). An inverted delta is called
a del (∇). The delta and del symbols are examples of mathematical devices called operators —
symbols that indicate that an operation needs to be performed on a variable.

The delta operator is used whenever the change or difference of a quantity is needed. Jump back
a bit to the equation that relates electric field to electric potential through a path integral.
−⌠ E · dr = ∆
V
 ⌡
Here, ∆V means a difference in electric potential between two points — usually a starting or
initial location (indicated in this book with a subscript zero) and an ending or final location
(indicated in this book without any subscript).
r
⌠
− E · dr = V − V0
⌡
r0

In cartesian coordinates, the del operator is the sum of the partial derivatives in the three unit
vector directions. (In noncartesian coordinates, the del is a bit more complicated).

∂ ∂ ∂
∇ = î ∂ + ĵ ∂ + k̂ ∂
x y z
When the del operator is applied to a scalar field, the resulting operation is known as a gradient.
Jump back a bit. The equation that says the electric field is the gradient of the electric
potential…
E = −∇V

looks like this when the del operator is expanded…

∂ ∂ ∂
E = − î ∂ V − ĵ ∂ V − k̂ ∂
V
x y z

and like this when the terms are rearranged so that scalars precede vectors…

∂ ∂ ∂
E = − ∂ V î − ∂ V ĵ − ∂ V k̂
x y z
The SI unit of electric potential is the volt, named for the Italian nobleman turned
physicist Alessandro Volta, a volt is a joule per coulomb.

[V = J/C]

The electric potential difference between two locations is one volt if it takes one joule of work to
move one coulomb of charge from one location to the other.

What More

Answer the problems below

1. A point charge of 3.0 nC with a mass of 4.0 g is moved from x=1.0m to x= 1.5m in an electric
field of 5,0 N/C with the same direction as the motion of the charge. (a) How much work is done
on the charge by the electric force? (b) What is the change in the potential energy of the charge?
(c) Assuming that the charge started from rest, what is its speed at x=1.5 m?
2. Four charges, q1 =5.00 x10-7C, q2 = -3.00 x10-7 C, q3 = -2.00 x10-7C, q4 = 6.00 x10-7C, are
situated at the corners of a square of side 4.00m. Find the potential at the center of the square?

3. If there were twice as much as charge on one of the charged objects near the charge sphere,
would the electric potential energy of the object in the field of the charged sphere be the same or
would it be twice as great? Would the electric potential of the object be the same or would it be
twice as great?

What I Have Learned

Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. What is the flux density at R = 1m. If three charged cylindrical sheets are present in three
spaces with σ = 5 at R = 2m, σ = -2 at R = 4m and σ = -3 at R = 5m. Find the flux density at R =
1m.
a.0 b. 1 c. 2 d. 3
2. What is the flux density at R = 3m. If three charged cylindrical sheets are present in three
spaces with σ = 5 at R = 2m, σ = -2 at R = 4m and σ = -3 at R = 5m.
a. 3 b. 10/3 c. 11/3 d. 4
3. What the flux density at R = 4.5m. If three charged cylindrical sheets are present in three
spaces with σ = 5 at R = 2m, σ = -2 at R = 4m and σ =-3 at R = 5m.
a. 4/4.5 b. 3/4.5 c. 2/4.5 d. 1/4.5
4. In which coordinate system can Gauss law be evaluated?
a. Cartesian b. Cylinder
c. Spherical d. Depends on the Gaussian surface
5. Which law can be derived using With Gauss law?
a. Ampere law b. Faraday’s law c. Coulomb’s law d. Ohm’s law
6. What is the total charge of a surface with densities 1,2,…,10?
a. 55 b.33 c.11 d. 77
7. Which of the following is the variable of Gauss Law?
a. Permittivity c. Radius of Gaussian surface
b. Permeability d. Electric potential
8. If you compare the gravitational force and the electric force, both forces
a. are always attractive and can never be repulsive
b. are inversely proportional to the separation between the masses or charges to the
first power
c. are directly proportional to the product of the masses or the charges
d) increase in magnitude as the distance between the masses or charges increases
9. If 1 joule of work is done against the electric field in bringing 1C positive charge from infinity to a
point in the electric field then the potential at that point will be
a. 1/2 volt b. 1 volt c. 2 volt d. 3 volt
10. SI unit of electric potential is
a. C-1 b.J-1 c. JC-1 d. JC-4
TRUE or FALSE: Write the word CORRECT if the statement has no error otherwise write
INCORRECT.
1. The tangential component of electric field intensity is always continuous at the interface.
2. The electric flux lines due to an infinite sheet of charge is uniform and perpendicular to the
sheet
3. The total electric flux over any closed surface is q2/εo.
4. The electric intensity due to an infinitely long plane sheet of a conductor at a point close to its
surface is proportional to 1/r2.
5. The total flux through the sphere if the Gaussian sphere closes an electric dipole within it is
dependent of the position of the dipole.
6. Net charge affects the total electric flux through a closed surface
7. The electric field intensity outside two charged parallel plates in infinite.
8. Ampere law is the basis of Divergence theorem .
9. Cylinder is the Gaussian surface for a line charge.
10. Electrical charge is related to Gauss Law.

References:
Cutnell & Johnson. (2007). Physics. Zoom Printing. Inc, for C&E Publising, Inc.
Everest, F. A. & Pohlmann, K. (2015). Master Handbook of Acoustics: A
comprehensive reference for undergraduates and sound-design
professionals.McGraw-Hill Education
Silverio, A.A. (2017). Exploring Life Through Science General Physics 1. Phoenex
Publishing House, Quezon City, Philippines.
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/electricalcharges/Lesson-3/Gauss law/
https://byjus.com/physics/electricpotential/
https://www.toppr.com/guides/physics/gauss law/