Can Gauss's Law Be Applied to a Charged Circular Ring?

[NOMI_2009]

Homework Statement

A circular ring of radius a carries a uniform charge q C/m and is placed on x-y plane with axis same as z axis. To determine E at P(0,0,h). My ques is can't we apply gauss theorem? if yes then what will be the gaussian surface? if no then why not?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[Doc Al]

Gauss's law won't help you because there isn't enough symmetry. Gauss's law helps when you can claim that the field is uniform over a surface--that's not the case here.

You'll have to use brute force and integrate.