Electric flux through a surface placed between

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric flux through a circular surface positioned between two point charges, one positive and one negative, separated by a distance. The original poster presents a scenario where the circle is located at the midpoint between the charges and seeks to understand the electric flux through it.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Gauss's Law and its relevance to the problem, noting that it typically applies to closed surfaces. There is mention of evaluating the electric field and the integral of E.dA to determine the flux. Some participants question the uniformity of the electric field across the circular surface and consider the effects of both charges on the flux.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of Gauss's Law and the implications of electric field uniformity. Some guidance has been offered regarding the evaluation of electric flux through integration and the superposition principle, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the solid angle and its effect on the electric flux, as well as the need to consider the contributions from both charges separately. The complexity of the electric field distribution across the circular surface is acknowledged.

basheer uddin
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electric flux through a surface placed between...

Homework Statement


a circle of radius R is kept in the middle of two opposite point charges of Q,-Q.distance between the charges is A, circle is kept at A/2 . what is the electric flux through the circle?

Homework Equations


∫E.dA=ø


The Attempt at a Solution


E at the circle is due to both the charges which adds up.
 
Last edited:
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Use Gauss's Law.
 
Gauss's Law applies to closed surfaces.
 
PeroK said:
Gauss's Law applies to closed surfaces.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I was speaking of this form of Gauss's Law:

ø = kQ*(solid angle made by the surface at the point)
 
Adithyan said:
Sorry, I forgot to mention that I was speaking of this form of Gauss's Law:

ø = kQ*(solid angle made by the surface at the point)


E is not uniform throughout the circular surface.an extra electric flux enters the conical boundary of the solid angle you mentioned due to the effect of the other negative charge which leaves the solid angle region through the circle adding to the flux through the circle.so one of the methods is to evaluate the integral ∫E.dA,
 
basheer uddin said:
E is not uniform throughout the circular surface.an extra electric flux enters the conical boundary of the solid angle you mentioned due to the effect of the other negative charge which leaves the solid angle region through the circle adding to the flux through the circle.so one of the methods is to evaluate the integral ∫E.dA,

Electric fields can simply be added. So, you can calculate the flux for the positive charge, as suggested, then it's the same again for the negative charge. Using the solid angle will give you the same result as integrating the field over the circular surface.
 
basheer uddin said:
E is not uniform throughout the circular surface.an extra electric flux enters the conical boundary of the solid angle you mentioned due to the effect of the other negative charge which leaves the solid angle region through the circle adding to the flux through the circle.so one of the methods is to evaluate the integral ∫E.dA,

The effect of one over the other can be neglected by virtue of superposition principle. Flux due to each can be calculated and then added.
 

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