Surface Integrals in Gauss's Theorem of Charge in Motion

AI Thread Summary
Gauss's theorem applies to charge in motion, and the surface integral should be taken over a spatial surface at a single instant, not over a period of time. The charge value used in calculations is the charge present inside the Gaussian surface at that moment, assuming no relativistic speeds. While some discussions suggest averaging over time, Gauss's law is valid instantaneously. It's important to note that if the Gaussian surface is moving, additional considerations may be necessary. Overall, Gauss's theorem remains applicable regardless of the charge's motion.
BIT1749
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gauss's theorem is also applicable to charge in motion.but how the surface integral has to be taken??
 
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However you like. You can choose any gaussian surface, it does not need to follow the charge in any way.
 
i have read in a book that the surface integral has to be taken over a period of time.but what value should we put in place of charge??
 
you use the charge that was inside of the surface at the moment you chose to do the calculation (assuming no charges with relativistic speed are present)
 
What book was this? Gauss' law is true instantaneously.
 
BIT1749 said:
i have read in a book that the surface integral has to be taken over a period of time
No, the integral is a 2D integral over a spatial surface defined at a single instant of time.

BIT1749 said:
.but what value should we put in place of charge??
huh? You put the charge in place of the charge. You can't put anything else there.
 
dauto said:
(assuming no charges with relativistic speed are present)
I don't think that is a necessary assumption. Maxwell's equations are fully relativistic already.
 
BIT1749 said:
i have read in a book that the surface integral has to be taken over a period of time.but what value should we put in place of charge??
In that specific example, they may have been considering a time-average... But in general as others have said, Gauss' theorem works at every instant of time. So you can integrate over time and then divide by the time interval if you want to get a time average.

edit: p.s. be careful in cases where the Gaussian surface is also moving.
 
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