Engineering Calculating the flux through the spherical surfaces at certain radius

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the electric flux through spherical surfaces at specific radii, particularly focusing on the charge enclosed at radius r=1. Participants express confusion over the accuracy of results derived from limited given data, with one asserting that the enclosed charge is -3 uC based on the point's coordinates. There is clarification on the interpretation of the problem, emphasizing that the spheres are centered at the origin, leading to an enclosed charge of zero for r=1. The conversation also touches on the units of flux, with some participants noting discrepancies in understanding the SI unit for electric flux. Overall, the thread highlights the complexities and misunderstandings in applying the relevant equations for calculating flux.
falyusuf
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Homework Statement
Point charges 5 uC, -3 uC, 2 uC and 10 uC are located at (-12, 0,5). (0, 3,-4),(2, -6, 3) and (3, 0, 0), respectively. Calculate the flux through the spherical surfaces at:
i) r= 1
ii) r= 10
iii) r=15

* u = 10^-6 *
Relevant Equations
Attached below.
Relevant Equation:
1637442267037.png

My attempt:
1637444699332.png

1637444677296.png

Could someone please confirm my answer?
 

Attachments

  • 1637444649520.png
    1637444649520.png
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You can't magically greate 10 digit accuracy results from 1 digit givens !

What is ##Q_{enc}## for ##r= 1## ?

##\ ##
 
BvU said:
You can't magically greate 10 digit accuracy results from 1 digit givens !

What is ##Q_{enc}## for ##r= 1## ?

##\ ##
Yes the answers I got were not reasonable and tried to figure out my mistakes but I couldn't.

I think it's -3 uC as r in the point (0, 3,-4) is 0, which is less than r=1.
so, the total charge enclosed is -3 uC.
 
I must asssume you have correctly given the problem statement
Calculate the flux through the spherical surfaces at:
i) r= 1
etc. And my interpretation is that such spheres are centered at the origin. So that the enclosed charge is zero for ##r=1##.
And that you are making a fairly simple exercise quite complicated unnecessarily.

Like in the other problem: what are the units for flux in your textbook ?

##\ ##
 
BvU said:
Like in the other problem: what are the units for flux in your textbook ?
It's Coulomb.

1637580341128-png.png
 
BvU said:
And my interpretation is that such spheres are centered at the origin. So that the enclosed charge is zero for r=1.
Sorry, I didn't get it. Could you explain further?
 
falyusuf said:
It's Coulomb.

View attachment 292834
Confusing (for me, at least). SI unit for electric flux is different.

falyusuf said:
Sorry, I didn't get it. Could you explain further?
The exercise asks for the flux through a spherical shell with radius 1 around the origin (then 10, then 15).

I don't understand what you do with your ##\overline{R_1}## etc.

* u = 10^-6 *
There is a ##\mu## under the 'insert symbol' button:
1637581967289.png


But (much better): with a little ##\LaTeX## you can do all kinds of math. ##\mu## becomes ##\mu##

There is a guide button at lower left:

1637582094065.png


##\ ##
 
BvU said:
I don't understand what you do with your R1― etc.
I assume that R1 is the vector between point 1 and the origin and found it by
1637583076411.png
 
What would you need that vector for ?

##\ ##
 
  • #10
BvU said:
What would you need that vector for ?

##\ ##
Get its length and substitute it in this formula:
1637584144098.png
 
  • #11
1637586213881.png

Seems to me ##\overline {a_R}## is a unit vector. Right ?

This formula calculates ##\overline D## at the origin. Not what you want. The exercise asks for a flux (in your case apparently an electric displacement flux).

##\ ##
 
  • #12
BvU said:
Seems to me aR― is a unit vector. Right ?
BvU said:
Seems to me aR― is a unit vector. Right ?
Yes. I think about it more and find that it'll be easier to get r from the given points using this formula:
1637589969545.png

and then simply;
1637595565755.png

Right?
 
  • #13
Makes much more sense to me than post #1 !
And no hassle with 10-digit numbers either :wink:

##\ ##
 
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  • #14
BvU said:
Makes much more sense to me than post #1 !
And no hassle with 10-digit numbers either :wink:

##\ ##
Thank you so much. Appreciate your help
 
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