Electric flux through a multihedral face

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the electric flux through one face of a regular tetrahedron with a charge of 0.920 C at its center. The formula for electric flux is provided, which involves dividing the charge by the product of the number of surfaces and the permittivity of free space (Eo). Participants express confusion about the meaning of Eo, which is clarified as the permittivity of free space valued at 8.85 x 10^-12 farad/meter. A calculation is proposed, suggesting that the total flux through one face can be determined using the formula, resulting in approximately 2.59887e10. Understanding the concept of a regular tetrahedron and the role of Eo is essential for solving the problem.
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Homework Statement


An object with a charge of 0.920 C is placed at the center of a regular tetrahedron with 4 equivalent surfaces. What is the electric flux through one surface of the tetrahedron?


Homework Equations


For an n-sided polygon

Electric Flux = Charge / (n)(Eo)


The Attempt at a Solution



No idea, I am lost on this one...
 
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Think of the tetrahedron surface enclosing the charge. You can easily calculate the total flux through the whole surface using your formula.

Now, what fraction of that will go through one face of the tetrahedron? Note: be sure you know what a "regular" tetrahedron is.
 
Delphi51 said:
Think of the tetrahedron surface enclosing the charge. You can easily calculate the total flux through the whole surface using your formula.

Now, what fraction of that will go through one face of the tetrahedron? Note: be sure you know what a "regular" tetrahedron is.

I'm just lost on what Eo is?
 
Eo in Gauss' law is supposed to be written epsilon sub zero, the permittivity of free space.
It is 8.85 x 10^-12 farad/meter.
Check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_constant
They have other names for it and several variations on the units that could be useful to you here.
 
Delphi51 said:
Eo in Gauss' law is supposed to be written epsilon sub zero, the permittivity of free space.
It is 8.85 x 10^-12 farad/meter.
Check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_constant
They have other names for it and several variations on the units that could be useful to you here.

Hey thanks man, my professor failed to tell us that and its not in this useless pc textbook. I appreciate it!
 
so should it be 0.92C/4(8.85x10^-12) = 2.59887e10?
 
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