Gauss' Law for a Nonuniform Field

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around applying Gauss' Law to a closed rectangular surface in a nonuniform electric field defined by E = 3*x xhat N/C. The participant questions the relationship between enclosed charge and net electric flux, noting that if no charge is enclosed, the net flux should theoretically be zero. However, they observe that the electric field strength increases from the x = a face to the x = c face, suggesting a nonzero net flux. This leads to the conclusion that there must be some charge present within the closed surface to account for the observed flux. The conversation highlights the complexities of applying Gauss' Law in nonuniform fields.
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Homework Statement


A closed rectangular surface with dimensions a = b and c where the faces perpendicular to the field are a*b. The left edge of the closed surface is located at position x = a, for c > a.The electric field throughout the region is nonuniform and given by E = 3*x xhat N/C,

Homework Equations


Flux = Integral of E(dot)dA = qenclosed/Epsilon0

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm just wondering about how this works, if there is no enclosed charge, then there shouldn't be a net flux.

I'm pretty sure the flux at one end is greater as it reaches the x = c face than at x = a, is it possible to have a nonzero net flux?
 
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Conclusion: there is charge in the box.
 
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