Finding the electric flux through the right face, confused on integration

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric flux through the right face of a Gaussian cube in the context of a nonuniform electric field defined by E = 3.0xi + 4.0j, with a specific focus on the integration process involved in the calculation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integration of the electric field over the surface area of the cube, questioning the separation of vector components and the implications of the dot product in the context of the electric flux calculation.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights into the dot product and the role of the electric field components, with some expressing confusion about the integration steps and the treatment of vector directions. There is an ongoing exploration of the assumptions regarding the contributions of different components of the electric field to the flux.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of vector calculus and electric field theory, with some expressing uncertainty about the notation and integration techniques used in the problem. The discussion includes clarifications on the properties of unit vectors and their implications for the calculation.

mr_coffee
Messages
1,613
Reaction score
1
I'm having troubles understanding what's going on here, with the integration. Here is the integral through the right face of the cube.
I don't know how to insert all the fancey symbols, so here is my key:
S = integral symbol
Flux = electric flux symbol, omega or somthing, a circle with a cross down the middle.
i = vector i in x-axis
j = vector j in y-axis
. means the dot product.
Given: A nonuniform electric field given by E = 3.0xi + 3.0j pierces the gaussian cube. x = 3.0m.

Flux = S (E).(dA) = S (3.0xi + 4.0j).(dAi)

= S [(3.0x)(dA)i.i + (4.0)(dA)j.i] //whats goin on here? are they just distrubting the dA? Why are they allowed to sperate the vector i from dA?

= S (3.0x dA + 0) = 3.0 S x dA //why is i now 0? wouldn't it be cos(0) = 1? or how do u figure out where the electric field is pointing with the equation: 3.0xi + 4.0j.

= 3.0 S (3.0)dA = 9.0 S dA.

How do you insert symbolic symbols so my future posts won't looks this messy? Thanks. Picture is attached.
 

Attachments

  • 222.jpg
    222.jpg
    14.6 KB · Views: 1,191
Physics news on Phys.org
According to your attachment, the "right face" of the cube is the plane x= 3.0 and the (outward) unit normal is i so the dA= dydz i. Therefore
(3.0xi+ 4.0j). dA= 3.0x dydz= 3.0 x dA where dA= dydz.

i did not become "0" the dot product of two vectors is a scalar (number).
(3.0xi).(i)= 3.0x, of course.
 
Thanks for the responce but I'm still confused... how do you go from, dA = dydz i.
then you said dA = 3.0x
dydz = 3.0 x dA...You didn't take the derivative of anything did you?
^is this the variable x or meaning multiplcation?
 
Halls, simply did the dot product, the result was 3x dA, then if you look at the picture x = 3, so 9*A, should be the solution.
 
The only component of the field that contributes to the flux through a side is the component perpendicular to that side. For the right side of the cube, that perpendicular direction is the [itex]\hat i[/itex] direction. The component of the field in that direction is [itex]3.0 x \hat i[/itex]; at x = 3 m, that component equals [itex]9.0 \hat i[/itex] (in units of N/C). Since the field is constant over the area of the right side, no integration is needed, just flux = E times Area.
 
ohhh i think i finally get it... so because the y component of the electric field doesn't matter (4.0j), you can just discard it and only worry about the 3.0xi. and because x = 3, you end up with 9.0i. So really is i just telling the direction of the vector? you can just discard it? I'm still confused on one issue though. [itex]\zeta [(3.0x)(dA)\hat i \bullet \hat i][/itex] You said you took the dot product, if A is pointing to the right, and also the electric field is point right, wouldn't that be cos(0) = 1? how did they get 0? [itex]\zeta [(3.0x)(dA) + 0][/itex] Sorry I'm really really rusty on vectors! :bugeye: that zeta is suppose to be an integral sign, i can't find the integral on the latex guide.
 
It looks like you don't know this:

[tex]\vec{i} \cdot \vec{i} = \vec{j} \cdot \vec{j} = \vec{k} \cdot \vec{k} = 1[/tex]

[tex]\vec{i} \cdot \vec{j} = \vec{j} \cdot \vec{k} = \vec{i} \cdot \vec{k} = 0[/tex]

Ah and the integral is

[tex]\int[/tex]
 
Last edited:
ahhh! thanks so much, I had no idea that property even existed. Damn luckly I'm not going to be a mechanical engineeer.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
10K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
13
Views
22K
Replies
2
Views
6K