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GP2 Q3 Melc-13 Mod-5
GP2 Q3 Melc-13 Mod-5
GENERAL PHYSICS 2
Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Gauss’s Law
i
General Physics 2 – Senior High School
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 5: Gauss’s Law
First Edition, 2020
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i
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
GENERAL PHYSICS 2
Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Gauss’s Law
ii
Most Essential Learning Competency
STEM_GP12EMIIIb-13
1
Gauss’s Law
Introduction
In this module, you will learn to use Gauss’s law to infer electric field due to
uniformly distributed charges on long wires, spheres, and large plates
(STEM_GP12EMIIIb-13).
2
Pre-Test
Directions: Read the questions carefully and choose the letter of the
correct answer.
1) What is the value of the electric flux through a spherical Gaussian
surface of radius 𝐚 = 𝟏 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 surrounding a charge of 𝟖. 𝟖𝟓 𝐩𝐂?
a. 1.0 x 10−16 N ∙ m2 /C
b. 1.0 x 10−8 N ∙ m2 /C
c. 1.0 x 10−4 N ∙ m2 /C
d. 1 N ∙ m2 /C
3) A positive charge is placed inside a spherical metallic shell with inner radius 𝒓
and outer radius 𝐑. The charge is placed at shifted position relative to the center
of the shell. Which of the following describes the charge distribution induced at
the shell surfaces.
a. A negative charge with uniform surface density will be induced on the
inner surface, a positive charge will be induced on the outer surface.
b. A negative charge with non-uniform surface density will be induced on
the inner surface, a positive charge will be induced on the outer surface.
c. A positive charge with uniform surface density will be induced on the
inner surface, a negative charge will be induced on the outer surface.
d. A positive charge with non-uniform surface density will be induced on
the inner surface, a negative charge will be induced at the outer surface.
3
5) Which of the following statements are true about a Gaussian surface in order for
Gauss’s law to be convenient for calculating the electric field at a point on the
surface?
i. The electric field direction should be easy to predict at every point on the
surface.
ii. The Gaussian surface must be chosen to take advantage of the
symmetry of the charge distribution.
iii. The Gaussian surface must be chosen to take advantage of the
symmetry of the object enclosed inside it regardless of how the charges
are distributed on that object.
a. i only
b. ii only
c. iii only
d. i and ii only
8) What is the net electric flux through the spherical closed surface shown in the
figure? The two charges on the right are inside the spherical surface?
a. 225.8 x 103 N ∙ m2 /C
b. 255.8 x 103 N ∙ m2 /C
c. −225.8 N ∙ m2 /C
d. −255.8 N ∙ m2 /C
4
9) The charge per unit length on a long, straight filament is −𝟗𝟎. 𝟎 𝐩𝐂/𝐦. What is
the magnitude of the electric field 𝟏𝟎. 𝟎 𝐜𝐦 from the filament, where distances
are measured perpendicular to the length of the filament?
a. 16 x 100 N/C
b. −16 x 100 N/C
c. 16 x 103 N/C
d. −16 x 103 N/C
10) What is the electric field due to an infinite plane of positive charge with uniform
surface charge density 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝛍𝐂/𝐜𝐦𝟐 .
a. 6.78 x 104 N/C
b. 6.78 x 106 N/C
c. −6.78 x 104 N/C
d. 6.78 x 10−6 N/C
5
Learning Activities
E licit/ Engage
Before we proceed to our discussion,
let’s have a review on our previous discussion
on Electric Flux.
Electric flux is proportional to the number of electric field lines that penetrate a
surface. If the electric field is uniform and makes an angle 𝜽 with the normal to a
surface of area 𝑨, the electric flux through the surface is
𝚽𝑬 = 𝑬𝑨 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽
⃗ ∙ 𝒅𝐀
𝚽𝑬 = ∫ 𝐄 ⃗
1. An electric field of 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐍/𝐂 makes an angle of 𝟑𝟎. 𝟎𝟎° with the surface
vector. It has a magnitude of 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝟐 . Find the electric flux that passes
through the surface.
2. A vertical electric field of magnitude 𝟐. 𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝐍/𝐂 exists above the
Earth’s surface on a day when a thunderstorm is brewing. A car with a
rectangular size of 𝟔. 𝟎𝟎 𝐦 by 𝟑. 𝟎𝟎 𝐦 is traveling along a dry gravel
roadway sloping downward at 𝟏𝟎. 𝟎°. Determine the electric flux through the
bottom of the car.
6
3. Consider a closed triangular box resting within a horizontal electric field of
magnitude 𝐄 = 𝟕. 𝟖𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝐍/𝐂 as shown in the figure. Calculate the
electric flux through
(a) the vertical
rectangular surface,
(b) the slanted
surface, and (c) the
entire surface of the
box.
E xplore
What do you think will be the electric
flux inside a closed surface? Let’s understand
it by doing this activity.
Guide questions:
1. Is the electric flux of the given charge through the surface of the sphere related
to the charge’s electric field? The surface area of the sphere? Why?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
7
2. If we double the magnitude of the charge inside the sphere, what will happen to
the electric flux through the surface of the sphere? Explain.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Instruction: Draw the electric field distribution of the following charges under the
second column and determine which of the given Gaussian surfaces will enclose and
contain the electric fields.
Gaussian Surface
Pattern of the Electric to be used
Charges Distribution
Field Distribution (Box, Cylinder, or
Sphere)
Point Charge
Line Charge
Plane Charge
Guide questions:
1. How will you describe the pattern of the electric field distribution of the given
charge distributions?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
8
2. What are the factors which you considered in choosing an appropriate
Gaussian surface on the given charge distribution?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
3. Using the assigned Gaussian surfaces, can we solve for the magnitude of the
electric field of the following charges? How?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Let’s consider the given charge distributions in the first column, calculate the
magnitude of the electric field using Gauss’s Law. The first question is solved to be
your guide.
9
distribution of 𝟑. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂/
𝐦. An uncharged
cardboard cylinder
𝟏𝟓. 𝟎 𝐜𝐦 in radius
surrounds the filament at
its center, with the
filament as the axis of the
cylinder. Using
reasonable
approximations, what is
the magnitude of the
electric field at the
surface of the cylinder?
4. What is the magnitude of
the electric field on the
positive plate of the
capacitor with surface
charge density of 𝟏. 𝟎 𝛍𝐂/
𝐦𝟐 .
E xplain/ Elaborate
The equation of the electric flux in Activity 1 shows that the net flux through the
spherical surface is proportional to the charge inside the surface. The flux is
independent of the radius 𝒓 because the area of the spherical surface is proportional
𝟏
to 𝒓𝟐 , whereas the electric field is proportional to . Therefore, in the product of area
𝒓𝟐
and electric field, the dependence on 𝒓 cancels.
10
passing through a surface. The construction shown in the figure shows that the number
of lines through 𝑺𝟏 is equal to the number of lines through the nonspherical surfaces
𝑺𝟐 and 𝑺𝟑 . Therefore,
11
The mathematical form of Gauss’s law is a generalization of what we have just
described and states that the net flux through any closed surface is
where 𝐄 ⃗ represents the electric field at any point on the surface and 𝒒𝒊𝒏 represents the
net charge inside the surface. When using the equation, you should note that although
the charge 𝒒𝒊𝒏 is the net charge inside the gaussian surface, 𝐄 ⃗ represents the total
electric field, which includes contributions from charges both inside and outside the
surface. In principle, Gauss’s law can be solved for 𝐄 ⃗ to determine the electric field
due to a system of charges or a continuous distribution of charge. In practice, however,
this type of solution is applicable only in a limited number of highly symmetric
situations.
Now, we will use Gauss’s law to evaluate the electric field for charge
distributions that have spherical, cylindrical, or planar symmetry. If one chooses the
Gaussian surface surrounding the charge distribution carefully, the integral in the
equation can be simplified and the electric field determined.
Different portions of the Gaussian surface can satisfy different conditions as long
as every portion satisfies at least one condition. All four conditions are used in
examples throughout the module. If the charge distribution does not have sufficient
symmetry such that a Gaussian surface that satisfies these conditions can be found,
Gauss’s law is still true, but is not useful for determining the electric field for that charge
distribution.
12
Spherical Gaussian Surface
This equation is also applicable in solving the electric field of hollow and solid
sphere with total charge 𝑸.
Solution:
The line of charge is infinitely long.
Therefore, the field is the same at all points
equidistant from the line, regardless of the vertical
position of the point in the figure. We expect the
field to become weaker as we move farther away
from the line of charge.
Because the charge is distributed uniformly along the line, the charge
distribution has cylindrical symmetry and we can apply Gauss’s law to find the electric
field.
13
Now, using Gauss’s Law
B. A Plane of Charge
• Find the electric field due to an infinite plane of positive charge with uniform
surface charge density 𝝈.
Solution:
Notice that the plane of charge is infinitely large. Therefore, the electric field
should be the same at all points equidistant from the plane.
Because the charge is distributed uniformly on the plane, the charge distribution
is symmetric; hence, we can use Gauss’s law to find the electric field.
14
of the cylinder, conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied. The flux through each end of the
cylinder is 𝑬𝑨; hence, the total flux through the entire gaussian surface is just that
through the ends, 𝚽𝑬 = 𝟐𝑬𝑨.
E xtend
Now, let’s try to solve some examples using Gauss’s Law.
Example #1:
The following charges are located inside a submarine: 𝟓. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂,
−𝟗. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂, 𝟐𝟕. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂, and −𝟖𝟒. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂. (a) Calculate the net
electric flux through the hull of the submarine. (b) Is the number
of electric field lines leaving the submarine greater than, equal to,
or less than the number entering it?
Solution:
Given:
Charges inside a submarine (𝟓. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂, −𝟗. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂, 𝟐𝟕. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂, and −𝟖𝟒. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂.)
Required:
a. The net electric flux through the hull of the submarine.
b. the number of electric field lines leaving the submarine (whether leaving,
entering or zero)
For a:
Analysis:
Because the charges are inside the submarine, we can assume that all charges
were enclosed by a closed surface. In order to calculate the net electric flux, we
will use Gauss’s Law.
15
For our 𝒒𝐢𝐧 , we will add all the charges enclosed by the submarine, in equation,
Now to solve for the total net electric flux, we will used 𝒒𝐢𝐧 on our equation
𝒒 −61 × 10−6 C
𝚽𝐍𝐞𝐭 = ∫ 𝐄⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝐀⃗⃗ = 𝐢𝐧 = = −𝟔. 𝟖𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝐍 ∙ 𝐦𝟐 /𝐂
𝜺𝟎 8.85 × 10−12 C 2 /N ∙ m2
So, our total net electric flux of the charges inside a submarine is
−𝟔. 𝟖𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝐍 ∙ 𝐦𝟐 /𝐂.
For b:
Because the sign of the computed 𝒒𝐢𝐧 and 𝚽𝐍𝐞𝐭 is negative, then the number
⃗ entering the surface is greater that 𝐄
of the 𝐄 ⃗ that leaves the surface.
Example #2:
A particle with charge of 𝟏𝟐. 𝟎 𝛍𝐂 is placed at the center of a spherical shell of
radius 𝟐𝟐. 𝟎 𝐜𝐦. What is the magnitude of the electric field through the surface
of the shell?
Solution:
Given:
a particle with charge of 𝟏𝟐. 𝟎 𝛍𝐂; a spherical shell with radius 𝟐𝟐. 𝟎 𝐜𝐦
Required:
magnitude of the electric field through the surface of the shell
Analysis:
The particle is inside the spherical shell. Let’s assume that the shell is a
Gaussian surface for us to solve for the electric field. We will assume that the
particle distributes its electric field radially. In that case we can solve it using
the formula
Where 𝒒𝐢𝐧 is the charge of the particle, and 𝒓, the radius of the spherical shell
in meters.
16
Let’s calculate:
12.0 × 10−6 C
𝑬= 2 = 𝟐. 𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝐍/𝐂
C2 1m
4(3.1416) (8.85 × 10−12 N ∙ m2 ) (22.0 cm × 100 cm)
Therefore, the magnitude of the electric field through the surface of the shell is
equal to 𝟐. 𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝐍/𝐂.
Example #3:
A uniformly charged, infinite straight filament has a line charge distribution of
𝟐. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂/𝐦. An uncharged cardboard cylinder 𝟐. 𝟎𝟎 𝐜𝐦 in length and 𝟏𝟎. 𝟎 𝐜𝐦
in radius surrounds the filament at its center, with the filament as the axis of the
cylinder. Using reasonable approximations, find (a) the electric field at the
surface of the cylinder and (b) the total electric flux through the cylinder.
Solution:
Given:
a. infinite straight filament with line charge distribution of 𝟐. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂/𝐦;
b. uncharged cardboard cylinder 𝟐. 𝟎𝟎 𝐜𝐦 in length and 𝟏𝟎. 𝟎 𝐜𝐦 in radius
Required:
a. the electric field at the surface of the cylinder
b. the total electric flux through the cylinder.
For a:
We assume the cardboard cylinder as a Gaussian surface to the
filament. To calculate its electric field, we will use
Where 𝝀 is the line charge distribution of the filament in 𝐂/𝐦, and 𝒓, the radius
of the cylinder in meters.
Let’s calculate:
2.0 × 10−6 C/m
𝑬= 2 = 𝟑𝟔𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝐍/𝐂
C 1 m
2(3.1416) (8.85 × 10−12 N ∙ m2 ) (10.0 cm × 100 cm)
Therefore, the electric field of the filament to the surface of the cylinder
is 𝟑𝟔𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝐍/𝐂.
17
For b:
We can solve the electric flux in two ways:
First solution:
Using the value of 𝑬 from part a, we can solve now the electric flux
through the surface of the cylinder using the formula
⃗ ∫ 𝑑𝐀
𝚽𝐍𝐞𝐭 = 𝐄 ⃗ = 𝑬(𝟐𝝅𝒓𝓵)
N 1m 1m
= (360 × 103 ) [(2)(3.1416) (10.0 cm × ) (2.00 cm × )]
C 100 cm 100 cm
= 𝟒. 𝟓𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝐍 ∙ 𝐦𝟐 /𝐂
Therefore, the total electric flux through the surface of the cardboard
cylinder is 𝟒. 𝟓𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝐍 ∙ 𝐦𝟐 /𝐂.
Second Solution:
We will use the principle of Gauss’s Law with the equation:
−6 1m
𝝀𝓵 (2.0 × 10 C/m) (2.00 cm × 100 cm)
𝚽𝐍𝐞𝐭 = = = 𝟒. 𝟓𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝐍 ∙ 𝐦𝟐 /𝐂
𝜺𝟎 −12 C2 2
8.85 × 10 N ∙m
The answer is the same.
Example #4:
Calculate the electric field on the positive plate of the capacitor with surface
charge density of 𝟐. 𝟎 𝛍𝐂/𝐦𝟐 .
Solution:
Given:
surface charge density of the positive plate of the capacitor, 𝟐. 𝟎 𝛍𝐂/𝐦𝟐 .
Required:
the electric field on the positive plate of the capacitor
18
Analysis:
We see that the positive plate of a capacitor is a plane. This time we will solve
this using the formula
Let’s Calculate:
𝝈 2.0 × 10−6 C/m2
𝑬= = = 𝟏𝟏𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝐍/𝐂
𝟐𝜺𝟎 −12 C2 2
2(8.85 × 10 N ∙m )
Therefore, the total electric field of the positive plate of the capacitor is equal to
𝟏𝟏𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟑 𝐍/𝐂.
19
Vocabulary List
You may refer to the following vocabulary words used in this module:
Box Gaussian surface – a type of Gaussian surface used to enclosed and calculate
the electric field of an infinitely large plane charge.
Cylindrical Symmetry - system only varies with distance from the axis, not direction.
Gauss’s Law - the net electric flux through any closed Gaussian surface is equal to
the net charge qin inside the surface divided by 𝜺𝟎 .
Spherical Symmetry - system only varies with the distance from the origin, not in
direction.
20
Post-Test
E valuate
Directions: Read the questions carefully and choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. What is the value of the electric flux through a spherical Gaussian surface of
radius 𝐚 = 𝟏 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 surrounding a charge of 𝟖. 𝟖𝟓 𝐩𝐂?
a. 1.0 x 10−16 N ∙ m2 /C
b. 1.0 x 10−8 N ∙ m2 /C
c. 1.0 x 10−4 N ∙ m2 /C
d. 1 N ∙ m2 /C
3. A positive charge is placed inside a spherical metallic shell with inner radius 𝒓
and outer radius 𝐑. The charge is placed at shifted position relative to the center
of the shell. Which of the following describes the charge distribution induced at
the shell surfaces?
a. A negative charge with uniform surface density will be induced on the
inner surface, a positive charge will be induced on the outer surface.
b. A negative charge with non-uniform surface density will be induced on
the inner surface, a positive charge will be induced on the outer surface.
c. A positive charge with uniform surface density will be induced on the inner
surface, a negative charge will be induced on the outer surface.
d. A positive charge with non-uniform surface density will be induced on the
inner surface, a negative charge will be induced at the outer surface.
21
5. Which of the following statements are true about a Gaussian surface in order for
Gauss’s law to be convenient for calculating the electric field at a point on the
surface?
i. The electric field direction should be easy to predict at every point on the
surface.
ii. The Gaussian surface must be chosen to take advantage of the symmetry
of the charge distribution.
iii. The Gaussian surface must be chosen to take advantage of the symmetry
of the object enclosed inside it regardless of how the charges are distributed
on that object.
a. i only
b. ii only
c. iii only
d. i and ii only
8. What is the net electric flux through the spherical closed surface shown in the
figure? The two charges on the right are inside the spherical surface?
a. 225.8 x 103 N ∙ m2 /C
b. 255.8 x 103 N ∙ m2 /C
c. −225.8 N ∙ m2 /C
d. −255.8 N ∙ m2 /C
22
9. The charge per unit length on a long, straight filament is −𝟗𝟎. 𝟎 𝐩𝐂/𝐦. What is
the magnitude of the electric field 𝟏𝟎. 𝟎 𝐜𝐦 from the filament, where distances
are measured perpendicular to the length of the filament?
a. 16 x 100 N/C
b. −16 x 100 N/C
c. 16 x 103 N/C
d. −16 x 103 N/C
10. What is the electric field due to an infinite plane of positive charge with uniform
surface charge density 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝛍𝐂/𝐜𝐦𝟐 .
a. 6.78 x 104 N/C
b. 6.78 x 106 N/C
c. −6.78 x 104 N/C
d. 6.78 x 10−6 N/C
23
Answer Keys
1. D
2. A
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. B
8. C
9. B
Elicit:
1. 217.0 N/C
2. 355 × 103 N/C
3. 0 N/C
Explore:
Activity 1
Electric field of the
𝒒
point charge at the
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐
surface (𝐄 ⃗)
Surface area of the
𝟒𝝅𝒓𝟐
Sphere (𝑑𝐀 ⃗)
Total electric flux 𝒒
through the surface
𝜺𝟎
of the sphere (𝚽𝑬)
24
Activity 2:
Gaussian
Pattern of the Electric Field Surface to be
Charges Distribution
Distibution used (Sphere/
Cylinder/ Box)
Point Charge
Sphere
Line Charge
Cylinder
Plane Charge
Box/Cylinder
Activity 3:
Problem Solution Answer
2. A particle with charge Given:
of 𝟐𝟓. 𝟎 𝛍𝐂 is placed - 𝟐𝟓. 𝟎 𝛍𝐂 charged particle
at the center of a - 𝟐. 𝟓 𝐦 radius of the spherical
spherical shell of
shell The
radius 𝟐. 𝟓 𝐦. What is
Required: magnitude
the magnitude of the
electric field through - Magnitude of the electric field of the
the surface of the Formula: electric field
shell? 𝒒 is
𝑬=
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐 𝟑𝟔. 𝟎 𝒌𝐍/𝐂.
Solution:
25.0 × 10−6
𝑬=
4(3.14)(8.85 × 10−12 )(2.5)2
𝑬 = 36.0 × 103 N/C
3. A uniformly charged, Given:
The
infinite straight
filament has a line magnitude
25
charge distribution of of the
𝟑. 𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐂/𝐦. An - 𝟑. 𝟎 𝛍𝐂/𝐦 line charge density of electric field
uncharged cardboard an infinite straight filament is
cylinder 𝟏𝟓. 𝟎 𝐜𝐦 in - 𝟏𝟓. 𝟎 𝐜𝐦 radius of the 𝟑𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝐍/𝐂.
radius surrounds the
cardboard cylinder
filament at its center,
with the filament as Required:
the axis of the - Magnitude of the electric field
cylinder. Using Formula:
reasonable 𝝀
approximations, what 𝑬=
𝟐𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓
is the magnitude of Solution:
the electric field at the
3.0 × 10−6
surface of the 𝑬=
cylinder? 1
2(3.14)(8.85 × 10−12 )(15 × 100)
𝑬 = 360 × 103 N/C
4. What is the Given:
magnitude of the - 𝟏. 𝟎 𝛍𝐂/𝐦𝟐 charged density of
electric field on the the positive plate of the
positive plate of the
capacitor The
capacitor with surface
charge density of Required: magnitude
𝟏. 𝟎 𝛍𝐂/𝐦𝟐 . - Magnitude of the electric field of the
Formula: electric field
𝝈 is
𝑬=
𝟐𝜺𝟎 𝟓𝟔. 𝟓𝟎 𝒌𝐍/𝐂.
Solution:
1.0 × 10−6
𝑬=
2(8.85 × 10−12 )
𝑬 = 56.50 × 103 N/C
1. D
2. A
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. B
8. C
9. B
10. B
26
References
27