Class 05: Outline

Hour 1:
Gauss’ Law

Hour 2:
Gauss’ Law

P05 - 1
Six PRS Questions On
Pace and Preparation

P05 - 2
 Last Time:
Potential and E Field

P05 - 3
 E Field and Potential: Creating

A point charge q creates a field and potential around it:

G q q
E = ke 2 rˆ ; V = ke Use superposition for
r r systems of charges

They are related:

G B G G
E = −∇ V ; ∆ V ≡ VB − VA = − ∫ E ⋅ d s
A P05 - 4
E Field and Potential: Effects

G G
If you put a charged particle, q, in a field:

F = qE
To move a charged particle, q, in a field:

W = ∆U = q∆V

P05 - 5
Two PRS Questions:
Potential & E Field

P05 - 6
 Gauss’s Law

The first Maxwell Equation

A very useful computational technique
This is important!

P05 - 7
 Gauss’s Law – The Idea

The total “flux” of field lines penetrating any of

these surfaces is the same and depends only
on the amount of charge inside
P05 - 8
 Gauss’s Law – The Equation

G G qin
Φ E = ∫∫ E ⋅ dA =
closed
ε0
surfaceS

Electric flux ΦE (the surface integral of E over

closed surface S) is proportional to charge
inside the volume enclosed by S
P05 - 9
Now the Details

P05 -10
 Electric Flux ΦE
Case I: E is constant vector field
perpendicular to planar surface S of area A
G G
Φ E = ∫∫ E ⋅ dA

Φ E = + EA
Our Goal: Always reduce
problem to this
P05 -11
 Electric Flux ΦE
Case II: E is constant vector field directed
at angle θ to planar surface S of area A
G G
Φ E = ∫∫ E ⋅ dA

Φ E = EA cos θ

P05 -12
PRS Question:
Flux Thru Sheet

P05 -13
 Gauss’s Law

G G qin
Φ E = ∫∫ E ⋅ dA =
closed
ε0
surfaceS

Note: Integral must be over closed surface

P05 -14
 Open and Closed Surfaces

A rectangle is an open surface — it does NOT contain a volume

A sphere is a closed surface — it DOES contain a volume
P05 -15
Area Element dA: Closed Surface
For closed surface, dA is normal to surface
and points outward
( from inside to outside)

ΦE > 0 if E points out

ΦE < 0 if E points in

P05 -16
 Electric Flux ΦE
Case III: E not constant, surface curved

G G
dA
E dΦE = E⋅ dA
Φ E = ∫∫ dΦ E
S

P05 -17
Example: Point Charge
Open Surface

P05 -18
Example: Point Charge
Closed Surface

P05 -19
 PRS Question:
Flux Thru Sphere

P05 -20
 Electric Flux: Sphere
Point charge Q at center of sphere, radius r

E field at surface:
G Q
E= rˆ
4π ε 0 r
2

Electric flux through sphere:

G G Q
ΦE = w
S
∫∫
∫∫ E ⋅ dA = w S
4πε 0 r 2
rˆ ⋅ dA rˆ
G
Q Q Q dA = dA rˆ
= ∫∫ dA
w = 4π r = 2

4πε 0 r 2
S
4πε 0 r 2
ε0
P05 -21
Arbitrary Gaussian Surfaces

G G Q
Φ E = ∫∫ E ⋅ dA =
closed
ε0
surface S

For all surfaces such as S1, S2 or S3

P05 -22
 Applying Gauss’s Law
1. Identify regions in which to calculate E field.
2. Choose Gaussian surfaces S: Symmetry
G G
3. Calculate Φ E = ∫∫ E ⋅ dA
S
4. Calculate qin, charge enclosed by surface S
5. Apply Gauss’s Law to calculate E:
G G qin
Φ E = ∫∫ E ⋅ dA =
closed
ε0
surfaceS P05 -23
 Choosing Gaussian Surface
Choose surfaces where E is perpendicular & constant.
Then flux is EA or -EA.
OR
Choose surfaces where E is parallel.
Then flux is zero
Example: Uniform Field
E EA Flux is EA on top
Flux is –EA on bottom
Flux is zero on sides
− EA
P05 -24
Symmetry & Gaussian Surfaces
Use Gauss’s Law to calculate E field from
highly symmetric sources

Symmetry Gaussian Surface

Spherical Concentric Sphere

Cylindrical Coaxial Cylinder

Planar Gaussian “Pillbox”

P05 -25
 PRS Question:
Should we use Gauss’ Law?

P05 -26
 Gauss: Spherical Symmetry
+Q uniformly distributed throughout non-conducting
solid sphere of radius a. Find E everywhere

P05 -27
 Gauss: Spherical Symmetry

Symmetry is Spherical
G
E = E rˆ
Use Gaussian Spheres

P05 -28
 Gauss: Spherical Symmetry
Region 1: r > a
Draw Gaussian Sphere in Region 1 (r > a)

Note: r is arbitrary
but is the radius for
which you will
calculate the E field!

P05 -29
 Gauss: Spherical Symmetry
Region 1: r > a
Total charge enclosed qin = +Q
G G
∫∫ dA = EA
∫∫ E ⋅ dA = E w
ΦE = w

( )
S S
= E 4π r 2
qin Q
Φ E = 4π r E =2
=
ε0 ε0

Q G Q
E= ⇒E= rˆ
4πε 0 r 2
4πε 0 r 2

P05 -30
 Gauss: Spherical Symmetry
Region 2: r < a
Total charge enclosed:
⎛4 3⎞
⎜ πr ⎟ ⎛ r 3
⎞
qin = ⎜ 3 ⎟Q = ⎜⎜ 3 ⎟⎟Q OR qin = ρV
⎜ 4 πa 3 ⎟ ⎝ a ⎠
⎜ ⎟
⎝3 ⎠
Gauss’s law:
⎛ r ⎞Q
3
Φ E = E ( 4π r ) =
qin
2
=⎜ 3⎟
ε0 ⎝ a ⎠ ε0
Q r G Q r
E= ⇒E= rˆ
4πε 0 a 3
4πε 0 a 3
P05 -31
 PRS Question:
Field Inside Spherical Shell

P05 -32
Gauss: Cylindrical Symmetry
Infinitely long rod with uniform charge density λ
Find E outside the rod.

P05 -33
 Gauss: Cylindrical Symmetry
Symmetry is Cylindrical
G
E = E rˆ
Use Gaussian Cylinder

Note: r is arbitrary but is

the radius for which you
will calculate the E field!
A is arbitrary and should
divide out P05 -34
 Gauss: Cylindrical Symmetry
Total charge enclosed: qin = λA
G G
∫∫ E ⋅ dA = E w
ΦE = w
S
∫∫ dA = EA
S
qin λA
= E ( 2π r A ) = =
ε0 ε0

λ G λ
E= ⇒E= rˆ
2πε 0 r 2πε 0 r

P05 -35
 Gauss: Planar Symmetry
Infinite slab with uniform charge density σ
Find E outside the plane

P05 -36
 Gauss: Planar Symmetry
Symmetry is Planar
G
E = ± E xˆ
Use Gaussian Pillbox
x̂
Note: A is arbitrary (its
size and shape) and
Gaussian
should divide out Pillbox

P05 -37
 Gauss: Planar Symmetry
Total charge enclosed: qin = σA
NOTE: No flux through side of cylinder, only endcaps
G G
∫∫ E ⋅ dA = E w
ΦE = w
S
∫∫ dA = EAEndcaps
S
+
+
x
+
qin σA +
= E ( 2 A) = = +
ε0 ε0 G +
+ G A
E E
{ }
+
σ G σ xˆ to right +
E= ⇒E= +
2ε 0 2ε 0 -xˆ to left +

σ
+

P05 -38
PRS Question:
Slab of Charge

P05 -39
Group Problem: Charge Slab
Infinite slab with uniform charge density ρ
Thickness is 2d (from x=-d to x=d).
Find E everywhere.

x̂

P05 -40
PRS Question:
Slab of Charge

P05 -41
Potential from E

P05 -42
Potential for Uniformly Charged
Non-Conducting Solid Sphere
From Gauss’s Law
⎧ Q ˆ
⎪ r, r > R
G ⎪ 4πε 0 r 2

E=⎨
⎪ Qr rˆ , r < R
⎪⎩ 4πε 0 R 3

G G B
Use VB − VA = − ∫ E ⋅ d s
A
Point Charge!
Region 1: r > a
Q 1 Q
VB − V ( ∞ ) = − ∫
r
dr =

∞ 4πε 0 r 2
4πε 0 r
=0 P05 -43
Potential for Uniformly Charged
Non-Conducting Solid Sphere
Region 2: r < a
VD − V ( ∞ ) = − ∫∞ drE ( r > R ) − ∫R drE ( r < R )
R r

=0
R Q r Qr
= − ∫ dr − ∫ dr
∞ 4πε 0 r 2 R 4πε 0 R 3

=
1 Q
−
1 Q 1 2
4πε 0 R 4πε 0 R 3 2
r − (
R 2
)
1 Q⎛ r2 ⎞
= ⎜ 3− 2 ⎟
8πε 0 R ⎝ R ⎠
P05 -44
Potential for Uniformly Charged
Non-Conducting Solid Sphere

P05 -45
 Group Problem: Charge Slab
Infinite slab with uniform charge density ρ
Thickness is 2d (from x=-d to x=d).
If V=0 at x=0 (definition) then what is V(x) for x>0?

x̂

P05 -46
Group Problem: Spherical Shells
These two spherical
shells have equal
but opposite charge.

Find E everywhere

Find V everywhere
(assume V(∞) = 0)

P05 -47