Andres

1 La Rosa Lecture Notes

Portland State University PH-212

THE GAUSS' LAW

Asymmetric charge
distribution

However, in some cases, a SYMMETRIC CHARGE DISTRIBUTION

allows us to guess the orientation of the corresponding electric field.
That is the case, for example, when we consider a INFINITELY-
LONG line of uniform charge distribution (λ= charge per unit length.)

Symmetric charge
distribution

+++++++++++++++++++++

The electric field at any point away

from the line (A and B, for instance)
turns out to be perpendicular to the
line.
 2

Vertical line Since the points P, Q, R and S are at

+ the same distance from the charged-
+ line, the corresponding electric fields
+ should have the same magnitude:
+
+
+
+
Hypothetical +
ring on a +
horizontal
plane +
+
+ It turns out, the Gauss's law will
+ allow calculating the magnitude, as
+ we will see below
 3

The Gauss's law (to be described below) is a tool that allows to calculate (in a very
simplified way) the electric field produced by symmetrically distributed charges
Note: But keep in mind that Gauss's law is valid for both, symmetric or
asymmetric charge distributions.
4

THE GAUSS' LAW

Gauss's Law
 5

Definition of the solid angle ΔΩ

CASE: ΔS is parallel to r Magnitude of ΔS

ΔS
ΔΩ

ΔΩ

ΔΩ

ΔS ΔΩ
ΔS
Sphere of
radius R

Total solid angle

enclosed by a
spherical surface
6

CASE: ΔS is not parallel to r

ΔS ΔS
ΔΩ

ΔΩ

ΔS
7

ΔS

ΔΩ

ΔS
ΔΩ =

ΔΩ =
8

Definition of the electric flux

9

Examples of electric flux

10

Question:
What is the electric flux that crosses the surface ABCD?

72
N
C
11

Questions
11

Electric flux through a closed surface

CASE: The electric field is produced by one point-charge
located inside the closed surface

E ΔS Cos θ

θ E

ΔΩ

Flux depends only on the solid angle,

independent on the distance of ΔS to
the point-charge !!

= 4π
13

where
φ is the electrical flux
q crossing the mathematical
surface S ,
and
q is the point charge
inside the surface S

CASE: More than one point-charge are

located inside the mathematical closed surface
q1 q2

IN GENERAL
net charge inside S

Gauss' Law
14

Exercise

CONCLUSION:
Charges located outside the surface S do not contribute
to the electric flux
Exercise: Evaluate the electric flux across the surface S produced
by the give discrete charges indicated in the figure

q4
q1 q3
q2
q5

charge inside
This result is
valid for any
arbitrary
surface S
q2 + q3

q1, q2, q3 , q4 , q5
E
17

Applying Gauss' Law to problems that present

cylindrical symmetry
18

Applying Gauss' Law to problems that present

planar symmetry

See also textbook,

page 617 S

S cylindrical surface
(it has a circular base of area A)
19

σ
20
21
22

Example

σ1 σ2
E1 E1 E1
E1
E2 E2 E2
E2
E
EC = E1 + E2 =
EA = E1 + E2

Example

σ1 σ2
E1 E1 E1

E2
E1 =
E2 E2
+ E2 =
-
E
This arrangement of
charges is used to
describe
(approximately) the
working principle of a
X CAPACITOR
23

Applying Gauss' Law to problems that present

spherical symmetry

CASE 1: Spherical
E shell uniformly charged.

Q is the total charge on the sphere

Question:
E inside the sphere?
What is the electric field
E (r) =
Answer

E
S: Gaussian surface
A spherical surface of radius r
24

Question:
What is the electric field outside the sphere
of radius R?

S: Gaussian surface
A spherical surface of radius r
25

E
26

CASE 2: Compact sphere of radius R

E
uniformly charged.

S: Gaussian surface
A spherical surface of radius r
27

E
28
29

We have just determined the electric field E for

positions r<R (that is, fields inside the charged dielectric
sphere).

Let's procedd calculating E for positions outside the

sphere, that is for r>R
30
31
32

Under electrostatic conditions,

what is the electric field inside a conductor?
 33

A compact conductor has a total charge Q. Under

electrostatic conditions, where are those charges
located?

Would there be
charge inside the
conducting sphere?
R

Let's use Gauss' law Gaussian

surface
r
r<R

Therefore, charge inside = 0

There is not net charge inside the

conductor.
All the charges distribute at the
outer surface of the conductor
 34

What is the direction of the electric field near the

surface of a conductor?