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A Gaussian surface is an imaginary surface used in Gauss's law for electric fields. It is a closed surface that is used to simplify calculations of electric fields by assuming that the electric field is constant over the surface.
A Gaussian surface is an imaginary surface used for calculations, while a regular surface is a physical surface. Gaussian surfaces are used to simplify calculations, while regular surfaces are used to describe the physical nature of an object.
Gaussian surfaces are used in Gauss's law because they simplify the calculations of electric fields. By assuming that the electric field is constant over the surface, the integral in Gauss's law becomes much easier to solve.
The choice of shape and size of a Gaussian surface depends on the symmetry of the electric field being studied. The surface must be chosen in a way that the electric field is constant over the surface and the angle between the electric field and the surface is either 0 or 90 degrees at every point.
No, Gaussian surfaces are only used in calculations for electric fields. For magnetic fields, a similar concept called the Ampere's law is used, but instead of Gaussian surfaces, Amperian loops are used to simplify the calculations.