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kt7888
Oct7-08, 06:44 PM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
what is the outward flux through one of the 4 triangular faces of a tetrahedron centered at the origin if the charge density is q*(delta)^3(r)


2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution
So, I figured that all I had to do was find the point charge q that the tetrahedron encloses....because I can find that by integrating over the charge density....
my problems are...am I making this problem too hard? Is there a simpler way to solve this?
and also, if I integrate over the charge density to, what are the limits of the integral, and how do you integrate the dirac delta?
Please Help!!!!!!!!!!

gabbagabbahey
Oct7-08, 08:21 PM
Use the definition of the dirac delta:

\int_{all space} f(\vec{r'}) \delta ^3 (\vec{r}) d^3r'=f(0)

So where does this mean the charge q is located? ;0)

kt7888
Oct7-08, 09:10 PM
q would be located at the origin......right?

but, don't I have to know what q is by the charge density?

or is it simply the flux from a point charge at the origin? But if that's the case, where does the charge density come into play?

gabbagabbahey
Oct7-08, 09:16 PM
Yes, it is a point charge q, located at the origin. The charge density just tells you that the only charge is the point charge q at the origin, that's all the information that you need from it. Just calculate the Flux from a point charge at the origin through one face of the tetrahedron.

kt7888
Oct7-08, 09:47 PM
so the flux from a point charge is q/e0

So, since the flux is through a tetrahedron, then it would be q/4e0

right????

gabbagabbahey
Oct7-08, 09:58 PM
Yes, but this is only true because the point charge is at the center of the tetrahedron, and so the flux through each face is equal.

kt7888
Oct7-08, 10:04 PM
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!

I was over-thinking the problem.