What is the flux through one face of the cube? Is my answer correct

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric flux through one face of a cube that has a point charge Q placed at its center. The context is rooted in electrostatics and the application of Gauss' law.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the correctness of the original poster's answer, which is Q/6e0, and question whether there should be a dependence on the cube's side length L in the formula. There are also inquiries about the units used for electric flux.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing feedback on the original answer and clarifying concepts related to electric flux and units. Some participants express agreement with the original poster's approach, while others raise questions about the inclusion of L and the meaning of specific units.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the lack of spherical symmetry in the cube, which complicates the electric field calculation. Participants are also clarifying the meaning of the unit "C" as coulombs.

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Homework Statement



A point charge Q is placed at the center of a cube of side L .
What is the flux through one face of the cube?
Express your answer in terms of some or all of the variables Q ,L and appropriate constants.



The Attempt at a Solution



I'm getting Q/6e0 , is this correct. Are the units Nm^2/C
 
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Don't you think there should be an "L" somewhere in the formula? And what is "C"?
 
pokie_panda said:

Homework Statement



A point charge Q is placed at the center of a cube of side L .
What is the flux through one face of the cube?
Express your answer in terms of some or all of the variables Q ,L and appropriate constants.



The Attempt at a Solution



I'm getting Q/6e0 , is this correct. Are the units Nm^2/C

Yes, this is correct. A simple application of Gauss' law. Your units are also correct, although it may be simpler to express it as Vm (volt*metre).
 
Since the units of electric field are N/C, your units of Nm^2/C for flux seem fine to me.

C = coulombs

Gauss' law says the net flux through the surface is Q/e0, and since this should be divided equally among the six faces, your answer seems plausible.

I imagine that any L-dependence should cancel out, since surface area increases as the square of L, but electric field strength decreases as the square of L

Edit: beaten by one minute!
 
HallsofIvy said:
Don't you think there should be an "L" somewhere in the formula? And what is "C"?

No, because they're asking for the electrical flux. The electric field calculation would involve L (and would not be trivial because the cube lacks spherical symmetry). C is coulomb.
 
cepheid said:
Edit: beaten by one minute!

Haha. :biggrin:
 

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