How Does Gauss' Law Apply to Infinite Charge Slabs?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on applying Gauss' Law to calculate the electric field density for an infinite slab of uniform charge density ρ, occupying the region -∞ PREREQUISITES

  • Understanding of Gauss' Law and its mathematical formulation
  • Familiarity with electric field density and displacement field concepts
  • Knowledge of charge density and its implications in electrostatics
  • Ability to perform triple integrals in the context of electric flux calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of electric field equations for different charge distributions
  • Learn about the application of Gauss' Law in various geometries, including cylinders and spheres
  • Explore the concept of electric displacement field D in electrostatics
  • Investigate the implications of uniform charge density on electric field behavior
USEFUL FOR

Students of electromagnetism, physics educators, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of electric fields and Gauss' Law in the context of continuous charge distributions.

shanty
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Homework Statement


An infinite slab of uniform charge density ρ occupies the region -∞<x< ∞, -∞<y<∞, -d/2<z<d/2.


Homework Equations


Use Gauss' Law to calculate the electric field density for -∞<z<∞


The Attempt at a Solution



D=εE.
Using that, I just need to find D = \frac{1}{4*Pi}∫\frac{ρ}{r^2}dv.

But I don't know what to use as a radius...
 
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The equation you wrote is not Gauss' Law. Also, r2 is not a "radius." It is the squared distance between the location of the charged slab and the point at which you wish to sample the electric flux density.

Gauss' Law is:

\oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{a} = \frac{Q_{Enclosed}}{ε_0}

Start by choosing a closed Gaussian surface: a cylinder, a pillbox, etc. Then write down what you would get on the LHS of the equation, which is the total electric flux. Then, on the RHS, write the total charge enclosed QEnclosed in terms of the charge density. What do you get?
 
Last edited:
D = (d*ρ)/2.

∫∫D(dot)ds = ∫∫∫ρdv

Where bounds are -x < x < x and -y < y < y. z bounds for the volume are -d/2 < z < d/2.

I see. Thanks.
 

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