How Does Gauss' Law Apply to Infinite Charge Slabs?

AI Thread Summary
Gauss' Law can be applied to an infinite slab of uniform charge density by selecting an appropriate Gaussian surface, such as a cylinder or pillbox. The left-hand side of Gauss' Law represents the total electric flux, while the right-hand side calculates the enclosed charge using the charge density. The resulting electric field density, D, is derived as D = (d*ρ)/2. It's important to clarify that r² refers to the squared distance from the charged slab to the point of interest, not a physical radius. This method effectively demonstrates how to calculate the electric field density for the given infinite charge slab configuration.
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Homework Statement


An infinite slab of uniform charge density ρ occupies the region -∞<x< ∞, -∞<y<∞, -d/2<z<d/2.


Homework Equations


Use Gauss' Law to calculate the electric field density for -∞<z<∞


The Attempt at a Solution



D=εE.
Using that, I just need to find D = \frac{1}{4*Pi}∫\frac{ρ}{r^2}dv.

But I don't know what to use as a radius...
 
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The equation you wrote is not Gauss' Law. Also, r2 is not a "radius." It is the squared distance between the location of the charged slab and the point at which you wish to sample the electric flux density.

Gauss' Law is:

\oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{a} = \frac{Q_{Enclosed}}{ε_0}

Start by choosing a closed Gaussian surface: a cylinder, a pillbox, etc. Then write down what you would get on the LHS of the equation, which is the total electric flux. Then, on the RHS, write the total charge enclosed QEnclosed in terms of the charge density. What do you get?
 
Last edited:
D = (d*ρ)/2.

∫∫D(dot)ds = ∫∫∫ρdv

Where bounds are -x < x < x and -y < y < y. z bounds for the volume are -d/2 < z < d/2.

I see. Thanks.
 
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