Net electric flux through a Gaussian cube

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric flux through a Gaussian cube in a given electric field, which is expressed as a function of position. The cube has an edge length of 0.160 m, and the electric field is defined in terms of its components. The original poster seeks to determine the electric flux through each face of the cube and the net electric flux.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the electric flux through each face of the cube using the electric field equation. They express uncertainty regarding the net electric flux after calculating the individual face contributions.
  • Some participants question the availability of the figure referenced in the problem statement, which may be necessary for a complete understanding of the setup.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the signs of the flux values for the top and bottom faces, indicating a need to reassess assumptions about the direction of the electric field.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. There is a recognition of the need for visual aids to better understand the scenario, and some guidance has been offered regarding posting images and using mathematical notation effectively.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the electric field equation was initially incomplete, and there are constraints regarding the availability of the figure mentioned in the problem statement. The original poster has expressed confusion about the calculation of the net electric flux.

Jrlinton
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Homework Statement


An electric field given by https://edugen.wileyplus.com/edugen/shared/assignment/test/session.quest2560893entrance1_N10030.mml?size=14&ver=1486488694211 = 9.6https://edugen.wileyplus.com/edugen/shared/assignment/test/session.quest2560893entrance1_N1004B.mml?size=14&ver=1486488694211 - 6.4(y2 + 4.8)https://edugen.wileyplus.com/edugen/shared/assignment/test/session.quest2560893entrance1_N1006D.mml?size=14&ver=1486488694211 pierces the Gaussian cube of edge length 0.160 m and positioned as shown in the figure. (The magnitude E is in Newtons per coulomb and the position x is in meters.) What is the electric flux through the (a) top face, (b) bottom face, (c) left face, and (d) back face? (e) What is the net electric flux through the cube?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I can compute the values for a-d simply enough but am having real trouble finding the net electric flux

A) finding the y component through the top face should be just substituting the edge length for y in the electric field equation and multiplying by the area of the face
-0.7906Nm^2/C

B) Should be the opposite of A because the electric field lines are entering through this side
0.7906 Nm^2/C

C) should be the integral ∫9.6dA with the result being negative as the electric field is entering through the left face
-.24576 Nm^2/C

D) There is no z component to the field so the flux upon this side is zero
0

E) This is were i become lost...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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I realized that the equation for electric field was lost in the post...
E= 9.6x^-6.4(y^2+4.8)y^
Also I misspoke on A and B as the electric field enters through the top so A is negative and B is positive
 
What about the figure mentioned in the statement of the question? Can you post that?
 
Jrlinton said:
I realized that the equation for electric field was lost in the post...
E= 9.6x^-6.4(y^2+4.8)y^
Also I misspoke on A and B as the electric field enters through the top so A is negative and B is positive
The images that you pasted are linked to an off-site location that is probably session-based and perhaps not public (requires site membership). It's better to upload images to the PF server using the UPLOAD feature (find the UPLOAD icon at the bottom right of the edit window), or use a cut & paste screen "snip" feature to capture the image off of your screen and paste it if the resolution will hold up.

If it's just math formulas you can take advantage of the x2 and x2 icons to produce subscripts and superscripts, and the ##\Sigma## icon provides a table of Greek letters and various math symbols you can insert by point-and-click. For heavy-duty math you can use LaTeX syntax to render professional quality math expressions (find the LaTeX / BBcode Guides links at the lower left of the reply edit window).
 

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