What is the electric flux through a surface with a point charge at its center?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating electric flux through various surfaces in different scenarios, including a flat surface in an electric field, a spherical shell with a point charge, and a sock with excess electrons. The subject area includes concepts from electromagnetism and electric fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of electric flux using the formula flux = EA, but some express confusion regarding the correct application of this formula, particularly in relation to the direction of the electric field and the area vector.
  • Questions arise about the normal direction of surfaces and how to determine the component of the electric field that contributes to the flux.
  • There are attempts to apply different equations for electric fields inside and outside spherical shells, with participants questioning the correctness of their calculations.
  • One participant raises a question about the lack of area information for calculating flux in a specific scenario.

Discussion Status

Some participants have received guidance on focusing on the normal component of the electric field when calculating flux. There is ongoing exploration of the correct methods and interpretations, with no clear consensus yet on the solutions to the problems presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants are preparing for an upcoming test on electric flux, which adds urgency to their inquiries. There are indications of confusion regarding the application of formulas and the interpretation of physical scenarios, particularly concerning the directionality of vectors involved.

katta002
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Homework Statement


A flate surface with area 0.14m^2 lies in x-y plane in a uniform electric field given by E=5.1i+2.1j+3.5k kN/c

find the flux through this surface


Homework Equations



I know that flux= EA which E and A are given so I multiply The area with the victor E but I got a wrong answer

The Attempt at a Solution


0.14m^2(5.1i+2.1j+3.5k kN/c)=7.14e-1i+2.94e-1j+4.9e-1z

but the correct answer is 490Nm^2/C,

how come can someone please help me. thanks.




Homework Statement


3)A 10-{ nC} point charge is located at the center of a thin spherical shell of radius 8.0 { cm} carrying -20 {{ nC}} distributed uniformly over its surface.

A.What is the magnitude of the electric field 2.0 {cm} from the point charge and the direction of the field?

B. What is the magnitude of the electric field 15 { cm} from the point charge?

Homework Equations


E outside spherical =Q/4pik\ =\ 1.3806503(24)\ \times\ 10^{-23}\ J\ K^{-1}r^2

and E inside= Qr/4pik\ =\ 1.3806503(24)\ \times\ 10^{-23}\ J\ K^{-1}r^3


The Attempt at a Solution

R^3
A)and since 8.0cm>2.0cm it's outside so I used the outside equation
(10e19)(2e-2)/(4pi(9e-2)(8e2^3)=3.45e3

but the correct answer is 230kN/C

b) since 15cm>8.0cm the E is inside therefore
(.08)/4pi(9e-12)(.15)=4.19.e3

but my answer is wrong

Homework Statement


2)A sock comes out of the dryer with 10^12 excess electron.
What's the electric flux through a surface surrounding the socks?

Homework Equations


Flux= EA
but since the area was not given
flux= Qenclosed?k\ =\ 1.3806503(24)\ \times\ 10^{-23}\ J\ K^{-1}

The Attempt at a Solution


10^12.9e-12=1.e23

but correct answer is 1.18e4Nm^2/C

please help me because I have a test on flux tomorrow and without understanding this might cause me. thanks.
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi katta002! Welcome to PF! :smile:
katta002 said:
A flate surface with area 0.14m^2 lies in x-y plane in a uniform electric field given by E=5.1i+2.1j+3.5k kN/c

find the flux through this surface

I know that flux= EA which E and A are given so I multiply The area with the victor E but I got a wrong answer

0.14m^2(5.1i+2.1j+3.5k kN/c)=7.14e-1i+2.94e-1j+4.9e-1z

but the correct answer is 490Nm^2/C

You need, not the flux through the area, but the component of flux in the direction normal (perpendicular) to the area.

So the normal to the area is … ?, and the component of flux in that direction is … ? :smile:

(and how are you doing on the others?)​
 


Thank you for welcoming me PF and boy am i glad to find this website
So I multiply the area by the i direction, j direction and K direction and find the sum of all direction but still didn't get the answer
i=.714
j=.294
k=.49
the sum is 1.498, I still don't get it.

and the rest that I posted I'm still facing difficulties so could u break it down for me, thanks and God bless you
 
katta002 said:
… So I multiply the area by the i direction, j direction and K direction and find the sum of all direction

that's not the component in the normal direction …

it's not even a dot-product of anything.

What is the normal direction (of the area)?​
 
pi*r^2
 
katta002 said:
pi*r^2

uhh? :confused:

The plate lies in the x-y plane …

so the normal direction is the z-direction (k) …

so the question is asking what is the component of flux in the k-direction?

(btw, did you find out how to post in the academic guidance forum?)
 
Last edited:

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