Calculating Flux on a Rubik's Cube with a Point Charge at the Center

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the electric flux through a face of a sub-cube in a Rubik's Cube configuration, where an 8.0 nC point charge is positioned at the center. Each sub-cube has edges measuring 3.0 cm. The initial approach of dividing the charge by the permittivity constant and then by 24 was deemed incorrect due to varying distances from the charge affecting field strength and angles. The recommended method involves computing the surface integral to accurately determine the flux.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric flux and Gauss's Law
  • Familiarity with surface integrals in calculus
  • Knowledge of electric field concepts and point charges
  • Basic geometry of a Rubik's Cube and its sub-cubes
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Gauss's Law and its applications in electrostatics
  • Learn how to compute surface integrals in three-dimensional space
  • Explore the concept of electric field strength variations with distance
  • Investigate the geometry of polyhedral shapes, specifically cubes
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, electrical engineering majors, and anyone interested in advanced electrostatics and mathematical modeling of electric fields.

ab23
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Each sub-cube of the puzzle has edges 3.0 cm in length. A 8.0 nC point charge lies at the puzzle's center. What is the flux through the one face of the sub-cube labeled with the logo?

Note: Its referring to a Rubik's Cube that has 8 sub cubes

I used the equation where i divided the charge by the permittivity constant and then further divided it by 24 but that didnt work.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ab23 said:
I used the equation where i divided the charge by the permittivity constant and then further divided it by 24 but that didnt work.

Yep - that was a reasonable thought, but it doesn't work. The problem is that the faces are different distances from the source so they experience different field strengths and subtend different angles. I think you'll have to do this the hard way, actually computing the surface integral:frown:

In any case, this probably belongs in one of the homework forums... Moving it now.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
9K
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K