Gauss's Law: Net Charge Enclosed by Surface?

[breez]

I've been taught that in gauss's law, the charge that is used must be the net charge enclosed by a closed gaussian surface. If the charge is located on the surface of the gaussian surface (such as a particle charge) can we still use gauss's law? In other words, am I right in interpreting enclosed charge to mean any charge that that is not outside of the surface?

 

[jdg812]

If the charge is located on the surface of the gaussian surface (such as a particle charge) can we still use gauss's law?

Actually not. But if you have no choice, count only part of the charge on the surface. For a sphere this part may be 1/2. For a cube, 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8