is same and the electric flux through the surface is along

GAUSS LAW
the normal to the surface.
Area Vector 2) In a non uniform electric field, the electric flux through
The area of a surface is treated as a vector quantity
a given surface can be obtained from the formula

( dS ) which is perpendicular to area element .If  n is
a unit vector along normal to the area element dS, then
 d   E ds cos  .
 3) For a closed surface, outward flux is taken to be
dS  dS  n positive and inward flux is taken as negative.
E
n


dS  dSn
Surface
Surface


n Area = dS

Positive - flux Negative - flux

n
ELECTRIC FLUX E
The total number of electric lines of force passing E E
n n
through a normal plane inside an electric field is called
electric flux   . It is a scalar quantity..
E   R 2 E E  0 E   R 2 E
d  E . d s  Eds cos  Cylinder in a uniform field
GAUSS LAW
(or)    E . ds  E  ds
This gives the relation between electric flux through any
closed surface (called Gaussian surface) and the charge
where  is the angle between E and the normal to
enclosed by the surface.
the area d s is along the perpendicular to the surface. Statement: The total electric flux through any closed
1
surface is equal to  times the net charge enclosed
0
by that surface.where 0 is permitivity of free space.
q

0
By definition, the total electric flux through the closed
 
surface S is given by    E.dS
  S q
Hence ,  E.dS 
0
D. F.:  ML T A 
3 3 1 S
Unit : Nm 2 c (or) Vm This is the integral form of Gauss law. Here  o is the
 
Note : 1) Gaussian surface around a charge permittivity of free space.
distribution (i.e. a point charge, a line charge, a surfae Proof : Consider a charge +q situated at ‘O’ inside a
charge or a volume charge) is a closed surface, such closed surface ‘s’. Let ds be the area of a small patch
that electric field intensity at all the points on the surface surrounding a point P on the surface. Let OP = r. The
27
patch area may be represented by a vector d s drawn enters and area ds2 where it leaves the surface. The
along the normal to the patch.Let E be the electric q
intensity at P due to the charge +q at ‘O’. Its flux through ds1 is 4 d inwards (negative)
o
direction is along OP
q
and through ds2 is d outward (positive).
4 o
Hence the total flux is zero.
COULOMB'S LAW FROM GAUSS'S LAW
Consider a charge ‘q’ and draw a Gaussian spherical
surface of radius ‘r’ with q as centre. By symmetry
the electric field E at any point on the surface of the
sphere surface is along the outward normal at that
point and has same magnitude at every point on the
surface.Both electric field vector E and the area
The electric flux through the patch is given by vector d s are along the same direction (radially
outward) (i.e)   0 .
d  E . d s  Eds cos  where  is the angle
 E . ds  E ds cos 0  Eds
between E and d s
    E . d s   Eds
q  ds cos    1 q
d     E  
4 o  r 2   4 o r 2 

ds cos 
is the solid angle subtended by the patch ds
r2
q
at ‘O’  d  d
4 o Since E is constant at all patches
The total flux through the surface is given by
  E  ds  E .4 r 2
q

4 o  d q
From Gauss law, E 4 r 2 
o

But d  4
1 q
q q E 
   4   4 o r 2
4 o o This is the magnitude of electric field at a distance r
If several charges  q1 ,  q2 ,  q3 ,  q4 ,  q5 ,.... from the point charge. If a test charge qo is
are present, then placed at that point. The force experienced by it is
1 1 qq o

o
 q1  q2  q3  q4  q5 ....  
o
 q  F  Eqo 
1
.
4 o r 2
Note : If the charge q is outside the surface the This is Coulomb’s law in electrostatics.
total flux through the surface is zero because the
cone with vertex at q cuts the area ds1 when it
28
NOTE : a) If a closed surface does not enclose any q
Then flux linked with the plate is given by 6  .Here
  1
 E . ds  o q  0
0
charge, then Gaussian surface is a cube of side 'a' with the charge at
i.e, if a closed body (not enclosing any charge) is placed its centre.
in an electric field (either uniform on non - uniform),
total flux linked with it will be zero. q
Flux linked with Gaussian sufrace(cube) 
b) The flux linked with a closed surface is independent 0
of the shape and size of the surface and position of q
charge inside it .  Flux linked with given face 6 
0

c) A hemispherical body is placed in a uniform electric e) If a point charge is kept at the centre of a cube,
field E. The flux linked with the curved surface, if field then the total flux linked with the cube is
is (i) parallel to the base (ii) perpendicular to base
1
and (iii) if a charge q is placed at its centre can be total  (Q )
0
calculated as follows
Flux linked with each face of the cube
1
is  face  6  (Q )
0

i) As field is parallel to base, the flux linked with base

  E R 2 cos 90 0  0 Or   0 f) If a point charge is kept at the centre of a face of
ii) As field is perpendicular to base, the flux linked the cube, the charge is enclosed by two such cubes
with base   E R 2 cos1800  R 2 E

   R 2 E

iii) Total flux through the Gaussian surface (sphere) how

sn.
q q
=  Flux through hemisphere = 2 
0 0

d) A point charge 'q' is placed at a height "a/2" exactly

Total flux emerges from the system of Two cubes is
above the centre of a horizontal square plate of side
Q
'a'. total 
0
Q
Flux through the given cube is cube  2 
+ q 0
g) If a point charge is kept at the corner of a
a /2
cube,the charge is enclosed by eight such cubes as
a shown.
Q
a Total flux linked with the 8 cube system total 
0
29
 c) Gaussian surfaces are so chosen that they pass
through the point where electric field intensity has to
be found.
d) It is convinient to imagine a Gaussian surface, so
that electric field at every point will be either normal or
tangential to the surface.
Q Note : 1) Gauss law is equivalent to Coulomb’s law
 Flux through the given cube cube  8  . and serves equally as basic law of electrostatics.
0
2) Gauss law and Coulomb’s law are not two
Flux through one face opposite to the charge of the
independent laws, but same law expressed in two
Q /8 0 Q
given cube is foce  3  24  different ways.
0 3) Gauss law would not hold good if the exponent in
the Coulomb’s law were different from 2.
(Because only three faces are seen).
1 q
Consider the exponent is 3. Then E  .
h) If a point charge is kept at the edge of a cube,the 4  o r3
charge is enclosed by four such cubes.
Q

1
 E . d s  4 o
q
r 3 
4 r 2 
q
 or
Total flux linked with the 4 cube system total   .
0 According to this flux would depend on the size of
Q the (r) Gaussian sphere, which is against the law.
 Flux through the given cube cube  4  . Hence for Gauss theorem to hold good the
0
i) A point charge 'q' is placed at the open end of a Coulomb’s law must be an inverse square law.
4) If the medium surrounding the charge has relative
cylinder as shown Then flux linked with it is given
q
q permeability  r then  
by
 r o
2 0 5) Charges outside the surface make no contribution
Here Gaussian surface is a cylinder of radius 'r' and for the total flux over the surface.
length '21' with the charge at its centre 6) The number of lines of force that radiate outwards
from +1 coulomb is given by
q
Flux linked with Gaussian surface (cylinder) = q 1
0    1.13  1011
o 8.854  10  12
+ q 7) If an electric dipole is there inside the surface
Qnet  0    0
 8) If a closed body is placed in an electric field (with
uniform or non uniform) the total flux linked is zero.
r
Electric field due to a line of charge
Consider an infinitely long thin straight wire having a
q
 Flux linked with given surface = 2  uniform liner charge density  .Consider a cylindrical
0
Gaussian surfaceof length l and radial distance r with
POINTS TO REMEMBER its axis along along the wire .
a) The imaginary surface enclosing the position of On the top and bottom surfaces E and d s are
charges is called Gaussian surface. perpendicular. Hence   0
b) Gaussian surface can be of any shape, but often it
1
will be in symmetrical form like a sphere, a cylinder.
Along the curved surface E ds   o
q
30
 Here qenclosed  2RL
Here electric flux through the circular faces is zero.
Y
Hence
+
+ 2RL
+
+  E.ds  0 or E2 rL 
 2 RL
0
 + r d S
+ P E R
+ G a u s sia n  E
+ S u rfa c e 0 r
+
+ The variation of E with distance r from the axis is as
Y '
shown in the graph.
E
1
Along the curved surface E ds   o
q
E
1
r
1 q 
E  2 r    q Or E   r
2 o r
r=R
o 2 o r
ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO UNIFORMLYCHARGED NON-
 dV CONDUCTING CYLINDER
But E  dV  Edr
dr Consider a long cylinder of radius R with uniform
volume charge density  . Let us find electric field at a
1 1
V   E . dr     dr distance r from the axis of the cylinder. Consider a cy-
2 o r lindrical Gaussian surface of length L and radius r as
shown,
 
Or V log e r
2 o
ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO LONG UNIFORMLY
CHARGED CYLINDER
Consider a uniformly charged long cylinder of L
r
radius R with charge density  . At the interior points
of a metal body electric field strength is zero. Consider
a point at a distance r from the axis of the cylinder.
Consider a cylindrical Gaussian surface of radius r and
length L as shown in the figure. R


q
E .ds  encl ; where q  R2L
0 encl
 Here electric flux through the circular faces is zero.

Case (i): If r > R, then from Gauss's law

R2L

L E.ds  R 2 L
r  E2rL 
0 0
R 2  E  1
or E  out
2 0 r r
R
R
Case (ii): If r = R, then E 
2 0

 E.ds  0 (qen ) Case (iii): If r < R, qencl  r L

1 2
From Gauss's law,

31
  E.ds 
q encl dV
From Gauss law E  V   Edr
0
dr
 r 2 L r
E2  rL  (or) E   E in  r σ σ
  o dr   o r
0 2 0 Or V  σr
 V
In vector form E   r
o
2 0 c ) When The point is inside the shell :
The variation of E with distance r from the axis is as In this case Gaussian surface does not enclose any
shown in the graph. charge and hence according to Gauss law.

E + +q
+ +
Er
E
1 + +
R
r + P +
r r= R + r +
ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO A SPHERICAL + +
SH EL L (OR CONDUCTING SPHERE): + + +
Consider a shell of radius R and a charge (+q). Let us
find the electric field at a point P at a distance r from V
E
the centre ‘O’ of the shell.
1 q 1 q
1 1
E 4 0 R2 E 2 4 0 R V
P r r
q dS
+ + +
+ R r + C h arg ed s p h eric a l
+ + R r R r
+ O sh e ll
+ +
+ +

G a u ssia n
S u rfa ce

E 4 r 2   o
0
 E 0

a) When point is outside the shell dV

E 0
  E  ds  E 4 r  2
 dr
 V is constant
 On the surface r = R
Or 
E 4 r 2   1
o
q E
1
4 o
.
q
r2 V 
σr

q R
V
1 q
 o 4 R  o
2
4π o R
q ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO A UNIFORMLY
But, σ   q  4 R 2 σ
4 R 2 CHARGED NON-CONDUCTING SOLID
SPHERE (OR NON-CONDUCTING SPHERE):
4 R 2 σ σ R2
E  E Consider a charged sphere of radius R with total charge
4 o r 2 o r2
q uniformly distributed on it.
 dV  R2
Also, E   V   Edr    dr q 4 3
dr o r2 Volume charge density   where V is R .
V 3

V 
 R2 a) Outside the Sphere r  R
o r
Consider a Gaussian surface around the charged sphere
b) When the point is on the surface with radius r > R.
q σ

E 4 R 2   q
o Or E 
4 o R 2
E
o
From Gauss's law  E.d s  0
q
S
32
 q  r 2 
r
 E.ds  E4r 1
2
where V  Vs    
S +
+ + + n̂ 4 0 R 3  2 R
q
 E.4r  2 +R
+
+ E
0 +
+ + r 1 q 1 q  r 2 R2 
V    
1 q 4 0 R 4 0 R 3  2 2 
E
4  0 r 2 for r > R
1 q  3 r2 
V   
 1 q  4 0 R  2 2R 2 
and E   3
r.
 4 0 r  At the centre r = 0 then
Electric Potential :
Potential VC  1 3q 3 1 q
dV 
E or dV   E.dr   Edr 4  0 2R 2 4  0 R
dr
1 q  1 q r c) At the centre of the sphere (r = 0)
0 dV  4 0 r2 dr V0 4 0 r 
v r
At the centre of the sphere r = 0  E = 0
 
1 q 1 q
V  as V  0 at r    On the surface of the sphere r = R and E 
4 0 R 2
4 0 r
Electric Potential
b) Inside the Sphere r  R
Consider a concentric Gaussian surface of radius 1 q
At r = R V
r < R . The charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface is 4 0 R
+ E
+ + ++ i.e, at the surface V  VS 
1 q
+ + + + + 4 0 R
+ r
+ + ++ + +
+ +R +
+ r
E E
1 q R3
1
q 4 3 qr 3 4  0 R 2 E
qencl   r  3 r2
V 3 R
q encl R r
From Gauss's law  E .ds 
0
The variation of V with distance r from centre is as
S shown in the graph.
qr 3 1 qr
 E4r 2  3 and E  V
0 R 4  0 R 3 3VS
 1 q
4 3 2  VS  
VS  40 R 
But q   R
3
r   
E and E   r R r
3 0  3 0  ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO AN INFINITE
Electric Potential : PLANE SHEET OF CHARGE
(NONCONDUCTING)
dV E.dr Edr Consider an infinite thin plane sheet of positive
charge. Consider a point P at a distance r from the
v r r 1 qr
v dV  R E dr   R 4 0 R3
s
dr sheet on either side.

33
 q The electric field at any point is the superposition of
q q
2 E  ds  Or 2 Es  E the fields due to two non -conducting charged sheets.
o o 2 s o
S is the area of each flat surface of the cylinder Resultant field at P1 E1      
2 0 2 0 0
Along ds1 and d s2 ,   0   
But q  σs where σ is the charge density on both Resultant field at P2 E 2  2   2   
0 0 0

σs σ σ  
sides E   E Resultant field at P3 E 3   0
2 s o 2 o 2 o 2 0 2 0
ELECTRIC INTENSITY DUE TO TWO THIN
PARALLEL CHARGED SHEETS:
Two charged sheets A and B having uniform charge
densities  A and  B respectively..
1
In region I : E  2   A   B 
0

1
In region II: EII  A B 
20
B
 σr
V  E  dr 
2 o 
dr Or V A
2 o
ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO INFINITE PLANE PARALLEL EA III.
SHEETS  EA
II.
  A    B  1
EB

At I, E   2    2  =   A   B   EB

 o   o  2 o
I.
B
σ σ B 1 A r
At II, E  = σA  σB 
2 o 2 o 2 o
1
In region III : A B 
EIII 
σ A σ B 1 20
At III, E    σ A  σB 
2 o 2 o 2 o Electric field due to two oppositely charged parallel
thin sheets :
INFINITE SHEET (CONDUCTING):
 
Consider an infinite conducting sheet of positive EA EB
charge as shown.The charge on it distributes itself  EA 

over the outer surface of the sheet i.e. on both of its  
I II  III
faces.So, conducting sheet is considered as the  
combination of two non-conducting sheets,with the 
 EB 
same charge density  .
 
EA
EB
P  1
P1 P2 EI          0
2 0 
3
 
1 
  EII  [    ] 
2 0 0
 
1
EIII  (   )  0
2 0
34