Solving Gauss's Law Problem: Two +q Charges Separated by d

In summary: Since there is cylindrical symmetry in this problem, consider a cylindrical Gaussian surface. You're only looking at the flux through the two ends of the cylinder. What about the flux through the cylindrical part of the surface?The flux through the cylindrical part of the surface is zero.
  • #1
Avinash Verma
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Consider two point charges +q,+q. Separated by distance d.
now there exist a point P on the line joining these two charges where electric field cancels out at distance d/2 from the charge.
If we make a Gaussian surface at this point and work out the surface integral it won't be zero.
since two field come in at this point to cancel each other.
My argument for why those field line coming in at point P has to meet is symmetry they cannot go right or left doesn't make any sense.
But there is no charge there!
how is it possible?
or is there any mistake in my question .
please tell your thoughts.
 

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  • #2
Depends on the Gaussian surface you have chosen.

If the surface excludes either charge, the surface integral of E (or D) is zero. If both charges ar included within the surface the surface integral of D = 2q. Etc.
Not sure what your question really is.
 
  • #3
Avinash Verma said:
work out the surface integral it won't be zero
It will be, as rudy says. To prove otherwise, show us and do the math !
 
  • #4
rude man said:
Depends on the Gaussian surface you have chosen.

If the surface excludes either charge, the surface integral of E (or D) is zero. If both charges ar included within the surface the surface integral of D = 2q. Etc.
Not sure what your question really is.
the image shows the gaussian surface around which integral need to be taken and am talking just about that single field line (along the line joining the two charges )has to come in and cancel each other because of the symmetry and the surface in the image has lines coming in.
we have a point where the field is zero if we go a little to the left (along the line joining the two charges)than we have a field coming same goes for the right side.
Flux through a closed surface without any charge inside.
(I may be wrong some where but where?)
 
  • #5
Do the math. Sphere with radius ##>0## will have field lines coming in from left & right, but going out top & bottom
 
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  • #6
Sorry, but you are just simply wrong. You cannot compute surface integrals by looking at field lines - that is just a heuristic. If you want to draw the lone you are talking about, then you should also be drawing the vertical line in the middle of the charges. This is where the lines you are talking about ”come out” if you wsnt to use the heuristic.
 
  • #7
Avinash Verma said:
the image shows the gaussian surface around which integral need to be taken and am talking just about that single field line (along the line joining the two charges )has to come in and cancel each other because of the symmetry and the surface in the image has lines coming in. we have a point where the field is zero if we go a little to the left (along the line joining the two charges)than we have a field coming same goes for the right side. Flux through a closed surface without any charge inside. (I may be wrong some where but where?)
Since there is cylindrical symmetry in this problem, consider a cylindrical Gaussian surface. You're only looking at the flux through the two ends of the cylinder. What about the flux through the cylindrical part of the surface?
 
  • #8
Avinash Verma said:
View attachment 228858

My argument for why those field line coming in at point P has to meet is symmetry they cannot go right or left doesn't make any sense.
But there is no charge there!
how is it possible?
or is there any mistake in my question .
please tell your thoughts.
You shy away from doing the math, it seems.
Well, here is another qualitative argument: the blue field lines bend off to infinity. You draw two black field lines that stop. That is unphysical(*). They too bend off to infinity, either left or right.

(*) Unless they are smack on the axis, in which case the contributing area on the gauss surface is zero.

A test charge would not come to a stop, but shoot away. The origin is an unstable saddle point.
 
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1. How do I calculate the electric field at a point between two charges using Gauss's Law?

To calculate the electric field at a point between two charges using Gauss's Law, you will need to first determine the electric flux through a closed surface surrounding the charges. This can be done by finding the product of the electric field and the area vector at each point on the surface and summing them up. Then, you can use Gauss's Law, which states that the electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the charge enclosed by that surface divided by the permittivity of free space. By setting these two equations equal to each other and solving for the electric field, you can determine the electric field at the desired point.

2. What is the significance of the distance between the two charges in Gauss's Law?

The distance between the two charges, referred to as "d" in Gauss's Law, is an important factor in calculating the electric field. The electric field is inversely proportional to the distance squared, meaning that as the distance between the charges increases, the electric field decreases. This is because the electric field spreads out over a larger area as the distance increases, resulting in a weaker field.

3. Can Gauss's Law be used to solve for the electric field at any point?

Yes, Gauss's Law can be used to solve for the electric field at any point, as long as there is symmetry in the distribution of charges. This means that the electric field must have the same magnitude and direction at every point on a closed surface surrounding the charges. If this symmetry is present, you can use Gauss's Law to calculate the electric field at any point within the enclosed surface.

4. How does the sign of the charges affect the electric field calculated using Gauss's Law?

The sign of the charges does not affect the calculation of the electric field using Gauss's Law. The electric field will always point away from positive charges and towards negative charges, regardless of the magnitude of the charges. This is because the electric field is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, and is influenced by the direction of the charges.

5. Can Gauss's Law be used for more than two charges?

Yes, Gauss's Law can be used for any number of charges as long as there is symmetry in the distribution of charges. This means that the electric field must have the same magnitude and direction at every point on a closed surface surrounding the charges. By using a closed surface that encloses all of the charges, you can calculate the electric field at any point within that surface using Gauss's Law.

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