Lecture 7

Gausss law

August 26, 2016

Objectives

Express Gausss law in words and in equations

Use Gausss law to calculate the electric field generated at a point by

highly symmetric charge distributions

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Regarding k

k Coulomb constant
k=

1
40

where 0 is called the permittivity in free space.

0 = 8.85 1012 C2 /N m2

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Gausss law

In a question in a previous recit,

E = 4kq
In terms of 0 ,
E =

q
0

It can be shown that this is true...

1. for any charge distribution
2. for any surface

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Gausss law

The total electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the total electric
charge inside the surface, divided by 0 .
E =

Qencl
0

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Gausss law
In a previous example,
E = 3.14 N m2 /C .
How much charge is inside
the cylinder?
E =

Qencl
Qencl = 0 E
0

Qencl = (8.85 1012 )(3.14)

= 2.78 1011 C .

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Gausss law

In a previous exercise,
E = 0 .
How much charge is inside the
cylinder?
E =

Qencl
Qencl = 0 E
0
Qencl = 0 .

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Gausss law

Example
Find the electric flux through each of the closed surfaces A, B, C and D.
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Gausss law

E ,A = +q/0
E ,B = q/0
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Gausss law

E ,C = (+q q)/0 = 0
E ,D = 0
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ConcepTest!

Consider charges of the same

magnitude arranged as shown.
Which of the following Gaussian
surfaces has the most positive
net electric flux?
A. Cross
B. Heart
C. Square
D. Triangle

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Gausss law

Qencl
E =
|{z}
0
I
~ = Qencl
E~ d A
0
%
integral over a closed surface
Knowing Qencl , can we solve for E~ ? Yes, but only for highly symmetric
distributions.
1. We choose an imaginary surface, called a Gaussian surface, that
exploits the symmetry of the charge distribution.
2. We make symmetry arguments to take E~ out of the integral, making
the integration easy.
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Gausss law

Example
Positive electric charge Q is
distributed uniformly
throughout the volume of a
sphere with radius R. Find
the magnitude of the electric
field a distance r from the
center of the sphere.

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Gausss law

Consider a spherical Gaussian

surface of radius r concentric
with the spherical charge.
Write down Gausss law.
I
~ = Qencl
E~ d A
()
0
The enclosed charge is Q. So
Eq. () can then be written
as

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Gausss law

~= Q
E~ d A
0

()

Because of the symmetry of

the system, the electric field
over each Gaussian surface
element points normal to the
~ = E dA.
surface. So E~ d A
Eq. () can then be written
as

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Gausss law

I
E dA =

Q
0

()

Because of the symmetry of

the system, the electric field
has a constant magnitude
over each Gaussian surface
element. So E can be taken
out of the integration.
Eq. () can then be written
as

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Gausss law
I
E

dA =

Q
0

The remaining integral can

then be performed. Note that
the integration is over the
whole surface of the sphere.
E (4r 2 ) =

Q
0

Solve for E .
E=

Lecture 7

1 Q
Q
= k 2 .
2
40 r
r

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Gausss law

The electric field of a

charged sphere outside its
radius is the same as the
electric field of a charged
point particle.

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Exercise!

For a very, very large flat

sheet, the electric field
magnitude is points away
from, and perpendicular to,
the sheets surface. Find the
electric field caused by a such
a sheet with a uniform
surface charge density .

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Exercise!

Consider a cylindrical
Gaussian surface of
cross-sectional area A with its
axis perpendicular to the
sheet. Write down Gausss
law.
Qencl
E =
()
0
The enclosed charge is A.
So Eq. () can then be
written as

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Exercise!
E =

A
0

Figure out the electric flux.

This is similar to the first
example.
A
E =
|{z}
0
E ,left end
+ E ,right end
+ E ,curved body
A
EA + EA + 0 =
0

E=
.
20
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