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Chapter: 12th Physics : Electrostatics

Electric flux for closed surfaces

Physics : Electrostatics: Gauss Law and Its Applications : Electric flux for closed surfaces

Electric flux for closed surfaces

In the previous section, the electric flux for any arbitrary curved surface is discussed. Suppose a closed surface is present in the region of the non-uniform electric field as shown in Figure 1.35 (a).

The total electric flux over this closed surface is written as


Note the difference between equations (1.57) and (1.58). 


The integration in equation (1.58) is a closed surface integration and for each areal element, the outward normal is the direction of  as shown in the Figure 1.35(b).

The total electric flux over a closed surface c1an be negative, positive or zero. In the Figure 1.35(b), it is shown that in one area element, the angle between d and  is less than 90º, then the electric flux is positive and in another areal element, the angle between d and  is greater than 90º, then the electric flux is negative.

In general, the electric flux is negative if the electric field lines enter the closed surface and positive if the electric field lines leave the closed surface. 

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12th Physics : Electrostatics


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