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physics231
Aug31-06, 02:26 PM
A uniform field E is parallel to the axis of a hollow hemisphere of radius R. a) What is the electric flux through the hemispherical surface? b) What is the result if E is instead perpendicular to the axis?

Here is what I've interpretted so far. If the field is parallel to the surface, then the electric flux = EA cos(theta). With the angle being 0, I came up with the answer as just EA Therefore that is my answer on part a).

On part b) if the field is perpendicular then the electric flux is just = EA, therefore making that my answer. But I know this isn't right. What step am I missing? Thank you

quasar987
Aug31-06, 02:50 PM
Well the field is certainly not parallel to the surface in both cases. You'll have to evaluate the surface integral

\Phi_E=\int\vec{E}\cdot \hat{n}da

where \hat{n} is the unit vector parallel to the surface element da.

Hint: If you chose a coordinate system in which the origin is on the center of the hollow sphere and in which the z-axis IS the axis of the hollow hemisphere, then what are \vec{E} and \hat{n}?