What is Gauss: Definition and 645 Discussions

Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss (; German: Gauß [kaʁl ˈfʁiːdʁɪç ˈɡaʊs] (listen); Latin: Carolus Fridericus Gauss; 30 April 1777 – 23 February 1855) was a German mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to many fields in mathematics and science. Sometimes referred to as the Princeps mathematicorum (Latin for '"the foremost of mathematicians"') and "the greatest mathematician since antiquity", Gauss had an exceptional influence in many fields of mathematics and science, and is ranked among history's most influential mathematicians.

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  1. A

    Gauss' law-thin spherical shell

    Gauss' law---thin spherical shell INTRODUCTION- hello, actually i had been doing some problems on gauss' law from H.C.Verma "concepts of physics". I'm continuously having problem with "wht's the field on the surface of a thin spherical, conducting shell? THE EXACT PROBLEM IS- "Consider the...
  2. D

    Solving Gauss' Law: Find Flux of 443C Ball with 7.97cm Radius

    How would you solve this: A small charge of 443 C is at the center of a 7.97 cm radius ball. How much flux passes through the ball's surface? The answer is 4.922 E-8 N.m2/C I don't know how to get this answer. Please explain. Thank you!
  3. R

    Electric Field Magnitude of Cylinder w/ Uniform Charge

    So question : We have cored cilynder. Inner radius 10 cm, outer radius 20 cm. In the walls of the cilynder uniformed charge 2nK/m^3. Find electric field magnitude at the points from axes 8cm 18cm 28cm. Sorry for my english.
  4. M

    Understanding Gauss' Law: Electric Field of an Infinite Slab of Charge

    For this problem I am giving the following: An infinite slab of charge parallel to the yz plane whose density is given by: p(x)= t, -b<x<b; 0, |x|>b; Where t and b are constants. And I am to find the electric field. I am pretty confused on how to do this problem. I know that the...
  5. G

    What is the Physical Significance of Curl in Gauss Law?

    is gauss law (i.e surface integeral of E.ds is equal to charge enclosed upon epsilon not ) valid for charges in motion or is it just valid for electrostatic conditions ?
  6. P

    Gauss' Law: Discrete vs Continuous Charges

    why is it that a gaussian surface cannot pass through discrete charges ... but can pass through a continuous charge distribution??
  7. B

    The Electric Flux through a Cube with a Uniform Electric Field

    I got a cube withe edge length 1.4m and has a uniform electric field, i have to find the electric flux throught the right face for the following fields. A) 2.00i B)-3.00j answer for a) is 0, i think because its uniform and all the inward and outward contribuitions cancel but then why...
  8. K

    Electrostatic equilibrium and Gauss' law

    A conducting spherical shell of ineer radius a and outer radius b carries a net charge Q. A point charge q is placed at the center of this shell. Determine the surface charge densit on (a) the ineer surface of the shell and (b) the outer surface of the shell. I'm not sure of my reasoning...
  9. P

    How Does Gauss' Law Apply to Spherical Charge Distributions?

    A charge of 2pC is uniformly distributed throughout the volume between concentric spherical surfaces having radii of 1.3 cm and 3.3 cm. What is the magnitude of the electric field 1.8 cm from the center of these surfaces? Answer in units of N/C. I used the equation \Phi = E*4\pi r^2 and...
  10. B

    Torsion Tensor and Gauss Equation

    It's just something I am not sure and I can answer my question in another thread: In the Gauss Equation \partial^2_{i,j}(\vec{r}) =\sum_{l=1}^m\Gamma^l_{i,j}\partial_l(\vec{r})+L_{i,j}\vec{n} L_{i,j}=-\partial_i(\vec{n}) \partial_j(\vec{r}) has got something to do with the normal \vec{n}...
  11. M

    Calculating Electric Field for Infinite Plane Slab with Uniform Charge Density

    Problem: An infinite plane slab, of thickness 2d carries a uniform charge density rho. Find the electric field as a function of y, where y=0 at the center. Plot E versus y calling E positive when it point in the +y direction and negative when it points in the -y direction. Okay, so I worked...
  12. M

    Prove "cos(2π/5) = (√5+1)/4" - Fred

    Hello I have been tasked with proving the following: cos(\frac{2 \pi}{5}) = \frac{\sqrt{5} + 1}{4} Any hints/idears on how I go about doing that? Sincerely Yours Fred
  13. G

    Gauss' Law for Magnetism

    I am trying to answer all the odd problems at the end of the chapter and I can't seem to get one of them. A long, current-carrying wire is oriented vertically; next to it is drawn a square whoe area lies in the same plane as the wire. Using the distances indicated, find the magnetic flux...
  14. E

    New Bee question on Gauss Coordinates systems

    Hello, :) The below link has great examples and simple explanations of 4D space-time light cone diagrams and how they are used in Special Relativity. http://www.phy.syr.edu/courses/modules/LIGHTCONE/LightClock/default.html The university site above was very helpful for visualising how...
  15. D

    Gauss' Law and magnitude of the electric field

    A long, nonconducting, solid cylinder of radius 4.5 cm has a nonuniform volume charge density that is a function of the radial distance r from the axis of the cylinder, as given by \rho = A r^2, with A = 3.0 \mbox{ }\mu C/\mbox{m}^5. (a) What is the magnitude of the electric field at a...
  16. D

    How to use Gauss formula here?

    how －∫(v)laplace functor *J*dτ change into -∮(s) J(n) dS using Gauss formula?
  17. U

    What are the Electric Field Lines and Flux in Coaxial Cables?

    I don't really understand Gauss' law - any help with this question would be appreciated? Coaxial cables are made of a copper wire in the center and a concentric cylindrical shell of copper outside, with insulating material in between and outside the shell. The charge per unit length of the...
  18. L

    Need gauss like PDF with skewness

    need "gauss like" PDF with skewness I am looking for a Probability Density Function that has the following properties: is defined on R like the gaussian has a non null (and non constant) skewness that is controlled by a parameter degenerates towards the gaussian At the moment I am...
  19. C

    What is the Strength of a 40,000 Gauss Magnet?

    "scientists can produce magnets as strong as 40,000 Gauss" now when Ill come to calculate the force between two of these magnets, I will have to know their "strength". according to the 40K Gauss, what will be this strength? In other words, what does 40,000Gauss tell me about its strength...
  20. M

    Solving E-Fields using Gauss' Law: Choosing Surfaces

    I wonder if i could compute resultant E-fields using Gauss' law and finding the field from the flux. I have a few difficulties, the first is of course, finding the E-field from the flux and the second is regarding the closed surface. how should i choose what surface to use, especially if the...
  21. J

    Proof of Coulomb's Law using Gauss' Law

    I'm trying to derive the vector field \vec{E} = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\frac{q\vec{r}}{r^3} surrounding a point charge, starting with \oint_S \vec{E} \cdot \mathrm{d}\vec{A}. My uneducated guess would be to get the magnitude of the electric field from gauss' law, then integrate to get the...
  22. M

    Applying gauss' law to planar symmetry, finding E question

    I'm looking at how you find E in a Nonconducting sheet. It all makes sense until the last part. Visualize a thin, infinite, nonconducting heet with a uniform positive surface charge density \delta . A sheet of thin plastic wrap, uniformily charged on one side, can serve as a simple model...
  23. T

    Is Gauss' Law Wrong? Evidence & Explanation

    undefinedundefinedundefinedSuppose there is a charged HOLLOW CONDUCTOR in an Electric-field-free region. Since there is no electric field acting on that conductor, thus all the electric charges will distribute themselves on the surface, as predicted by Gauss’ law. Gauss’ law can be interpreted...
  24. H

    Gauss' Law & 2 Charged Cylinders

    Hi, could someone offer some advice on the following problem: ===== Q. Using Gauss' law, obtain expressions for the electric field and potential in the space between two thin, hollow, concentric conducting cylinders, of radii a and b, with the outer cylinder connected to earth ===== I...
  25. R

    Solving for Electric Field with Gauss' Law

    I have to find the electric field everywhere using Gauss’ law in differential form. Charge density is \rho = \rho_{0}r^{3} for a<r<b and 0 otherwise in spherical symmetry and then in cylindrical coordinates \nabla \cdot D=\rho I have look for D and then just get E = D/epsilon. D is where...
  26. G

    Safe Gauss Levels: Human Limit & Everyday Exposure

    All the articles and books I have read conflict with one another in safe levels of Gauss. I understand the Human limit is 2000 Gauss. Does anyone know what levels of Gauss are acceptable for everyday exposure? As I said, all reports I have read conflict one another.
  27. T

    Integrate this without gauss theorem

    Hi guys, I want to solve this integral without using gauss theorem to convert from double to triple integral, my problem here is to find a general way for setting the differential surface part (ds) from the integral if \vec{F} was a vector field defined as: \vec{F} = x^3\vec{i} +...
  28. T

    Primes in ring of Gauss integers - help

    Primes in ring of Gauss integers - help! I'm having a very difficult time solving this question, please help! So I'm dealing with the ring R=\field{Z}[\zeta] where \zeta=\frac{1}{2}(-1+\sqrt{-3}) is a cube root of 1. Then the question is: Show the polynomial x^2+x+1 has a root in F_p if...
  29. M

    Solving Gauss Law Problem: Electric Field on Hollow Sphere

    Hi, I have this problem in my Physics Book: The electric field everywhere on the surface of a hollow sphere of radius 0.75m is found to be 890 N/C and points radially toward the center of the sphere, (a) What is the net charge within the sphere's surface? (b) What can you tell about the...
  30. J

    Gauss' Law in Dielectrics Part II

    OK I just want to start from the beginning and try to get the first part of this problem so I can get what is going on in my head and understand it. Here's the problem: A point charge q is imbedded in a solid material of dielectric constant K. A) Use Gauss's law as stated in equation...
  31. J

    How Does Gauss's Law Apply to Dielectrics with Embedded Point Charges?

    This problem is also giving me a lots and lots of trouble, and I don't even know where to begin. A point charge q is imbedded in a solid material of dielectric constant K. A) Use Gauss's law as stated in equation \oint{K \vec{E} \cdot \vec{A}} \;=\; \frac{Q_{free}}{\epsilon_{0}} to find...
  32. A

    Gauss' Law - Cylindrical Shell

    I'm stuck on two problems. I hope someone can help me. Here they are... 1) For 1a I thought Q would be Q=\rho \pi L (b^2-a^2) but since \rho=\frac{k}{r} so Q=\frac {k \pi L (b^2-a^2)}{r}. After being stumped on 1a I'm not sure how to go about 1b. 2) I've derived about 4 equations for this...
  33. R

    Calculating Solid Angles for Gauss' & Ampere's Laws

    Can anyone help me in understanding solid angles and how to work them out in the context of Gauss' Law and Amperes Law calculations
  34. S

    Damn Gauss law is so confusing

    Positive charge is uniformly distributed throughout a non conducting cylindrical shell of inner radius R and outer radius 2R. What radial depth beneath outer surface of the charge distribution is the elctric field strength equal to one half the surface value? errr e0 = epsilon 0 the...
  35. S

    Still more problems with Gauss Law

    Ok I'm realllly unsure about this! If a spherical cavity of radius 3.66cm in a piece of metal (kind of cube, but not a perfect cube) has a charge of +Q at it's centre and there is a point P1 located half way between the spherical cavity and it's surface and a point P2 located in the metal...
  36. S

    Calculating Electric Flux Through a Square: Is Gauss' Law the Only Method?

    This is SUPPOSED to be easy but i seemingly find find it hard... A poin charge of +Q is places a distance d/2 above the centre of a square surface of side d. Find the electric flux through the square. so i know that E dA = EA (because the flux through the square is all at 90 degree...
  37. L

    How can I make my gauss rifle shoot faster?

    Hey there, I've built a gauss rifle at school with 10 graphite magnets (diameter 25mm) and balls with the same diameter. The magnets are placed as close to each other as they can get. Unfortunately the last ball does not leave the rifle with a great speed (2 km/h :cry: ). So I changed it for...
  38. Cyrus

    Charge Distribution on a Sphere: Exploring Gauss' Law

    Hello, Question again. If we have a conductor, then according to Gauss, all the charged particles will migrate to the surface where they are furthest away from each other. This seems to make logical sense. But what if I have a charged sphere and now every particle on the surface of the...
  39. K

    Electric Fields and Gauss' Law

    I need some guidance if anyone can help me! 1. A small cube of volume 8.0 cm^3 is .30 cm from a metal sphere that has charge 2.00uC. If the cube is empty, what is the total flux through it? I tried finding the flux of the sphere as if it was a point charge but I don't know where to go...
  40. J

    Quick question regarding gauss' law

    A long coaxial cable consists of an inner cylindrical conductor with radius a and an outer cylindrical shell of inner radius b and outer radius c. The cylindrical shell is mounted on insulating supports and has no net charge. The inner cylinder has a uniform positive charge per unit length...
  41. G

    What is the concept of Gauss' physical law?

    Can someone put into plain english the following points: 1. What is the concept of Gauss' physical law. 2. Why is the rotation of an electric field zero. Cheers
  42. G

    Solving Vector Field Flux with Gauss & Stokes

    Hi folks, I'm working on the following problem... Show that the flux of the vector field \nabla \times A through a closed surface is zero. Use both Gauss and Stokes. Where can I begin? Thanks...
  43. S

    Experimenting with Magnets and Marbles: Relation to Gauss Rifle Guns

    i'm sure some of you are familiar with a gauss rifle. I'm doing an experiment using the magnets and marbles. does this at all relate to the gauss rifle guns.thanks
  44. D

    Solving Gauss' Law Problem with J.J. Thomson Model of Hydrogen Atom

    I'm having trouble with the following problem: An early (incorrect) model of the hydrogen atom, suggested by J.J. Thomson, proposed that a positive cloud of charge +e was uniformly distributed throughout the volume of a sphere of radius R, with the electron an equal-magnitude negative point...
  45. T

    Karl Gauss: Finding His Works Online & in Books

    Where can I find the works of Karl Gauss, online or in a book.
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