Electric Flux through a Spherical Surface at the Origin

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SUMMARY

The total electric flux through a spherical surface centered at the origin, with a radius of 1.65 m, due to two point charges, q_1 = 3.45 nC and q_2 = -6.95 nC, can be calculated using Gauss's Law. The integral setup initially attempted was incorrect; instead, the correct approach is to apply the formula \Phi = \frac{q_{enc}}{\epsilon_0}, where q_{enc} is the total enclosed charge. The permittivity of free space, \epsilon_0, is 8.854 x 10^-12 C^2/(N·m^2). The resulting electric flux is -1992.28 Nm^2/C.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gauss's Law in electrostatics
  • Knowledge of electric flux and its calculation
  • Familiarity with point charges and their properties
  • Basic calculus for evaluating integrals
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  • Study the application of Gauss's Law in various geometries
  • Learn about electric field calculations for point charges
  • Explore the concept of electric flux in different contexts
  • Review the significance of permittivity of free space in electrostatics
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Homework Statement


A point charge q_1 = 3.45 nC is located on the x-axis at x = 1.90 m, and a second point charge q_2 = -6.95 nC is on the y-axis at y = 1.20 m.

What is the total electric flux due to these two point charges through a spherical surface centered at the origin and with radius r_2 = 1.65 m?


Homework Equations


\Phi=\oint E_\bot dA
A=4\pi r^2
E=\frac{kq}{r^2}


The Attempt at a Solution


I started with:
\Phi=\oint \frac{kq}{r^2} dA
\Phi=A \oint \frac{kq}{r^2} dy
\Phi=4\pi r^2 \oint \frac{kq}{r^2} dy

To get r I did:
x^2+y^2=r^2
x^2+y^2=1.65^2
x=\sqrt{1.65^2-y^2}

r=\sqrt{(\sqrt{1.65^2-y^2})^2+(y-1.20)^2}

So:
\Phi=4\pi r^2 \oint \frac{kq}{1.65^2-y^2+(y-1.20)^2} dy

Evaluating this integral from -1.65 to 1.65 gives -1992.28 Nm^2/C

I'm pretty sure I'm setting up this integral completely wrong. Any help on how to do it correctly would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced for your help.
 
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Why mess around with integrals? Use Gauss's law.
 
remember that the flux through a closed surface is equal to the charge enclosed divided by epsilon_not. aka gauss's law
 
By use Gauss's law do you mean \Phi=\frac{q}{\epsilon_0}? If so don't I need to know that permittivity of free space (\epsilon_0), which isn't given in the problem?
 
Alright I found that epsilon_0 = 8.854E-12. Thanks for your help.
 

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