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Class 12th Physics

01 ELECTRIC CHARGES AND FIELDS

ELECTRIC FLUX

ELECTRIC FLUX
Electric flux is the measure of flow of the electric field through a given area. Electric flux is
proportional to the number of electric field lines going through a normally perpendicular surface.

Electric Flux Formula

ϕp = EA

ϕ = EAcosθ

Gauss Theorem
1
The total flux associated with a closed surface equals times the charge enclosed by the closed
ε0
surface, according to the Gauss law.
q
∮ E . ds =
εo
Gauss Law Formula

Q = ϕ εo
The formula of Gauss law is given by:
Q
ϕ=
εo
Where,

εo is electrostatic constant,

Q is total charge within a given surface, and

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Class 12th Physics

01 ELECTRIC CHARGES AND FIELDS

ELECTRIC FLUX

ϕ is flux enclosed by surface.

The Gauss Theorem

qnet
ϕ = E. dA =
εo

Gauss’ law and Coulomb’s law are closely related. If gauss law is applied to a point charge in a sphere,
it will be the same as applying coulomb’s law.

Gauss Law Equation

Q
∫ E . dA = … … (1)
ε0
Where,

• E is the electric field

• Q is the electric charge enclosed
• ε0 is the electric permittivity of free space.
• A is the outward pointing normal area vector.

Flux is a measure of the strength of a field passing through a surface. Electric flux is given as:

Φ = ∫E⋅dA …… (2)

State and prove Gauss’s Theorem.

Proof: Let a charge q be situated at a point O within a closed surface S as shown. Point P is situated
on the closed surface at a distance r from O. The intensity of electric field at point P will be.
1 q
̅=
E . … (1)
4πϵ∘ r 2
Electric flux passing through area ds enclosing point P,
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Class 12th Physics

01 ELECTRIC CHARGES AND FIELDS

ELECTRIC FLUX

⃗s
dϕ = ⃗E. d
or dϕ = E. dscosθ
[where θ is the angle between E and ds]

Flux passing through the whole surface S,

∫ ∫dϕ = ∫ ∫E . dscosθ … … (2)

s s

Substituting the value of E from eqn. (1) in eqn. (2),

1 q
ϕ∫ ∫ 2
dscosθ [Here ∫dϕ = ϕ]
s 4πϵ∘ r s

1 dscosθ
ϕ= q∫ ∫
4πϵ∘ s r2

1 dscosθ
⇒ϕ= q. ω [∵ ∫ ∫ = ω]
4πϵ∘ s r2

Here ω = solid angle.

But here the solid angle subtended by the closed surface S at O is 4π, thus
1
ϕ= × q × 4π
4πϵ∘

1
ϕ= . q.
ϵ∘

Application of Gauss theorem

Electric Field Due To An Infinitely Long Straight Uniformly Charged Wire
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Class 12th Physics

01 ELECTRIC CHARGES AND FIELDS

ELECTRIC FLUX

The wire is considered to be a cylindrical Gaussian surface. This is because to determine the electric
field E at point P, Gauss law is used.
The surface area of the curved part is given as:
S = 2πrl
The total charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface is given as:
q = λl
The electric flux through the end surfaces of the cylindrical Gaussian surface is given as:
Φ1 = 0
The electric flux through the curved surface of the cylindrical Gaussian surface is given as:
Φ2 = E cos0.s
Φ2 = E × 1 × 2πrl
The total electric flux is given as:
Φ = Φ1 + Φ 2
Φ = 0 + E cos0.s
Φ2 = 2πrlE (eq. 1)
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Class 12th Physics

01 ELECTRIC CHARGES AND FIELDS

ELECTRIC FLUX

From Gauss law, we know that.

q λl
ϕ= = (eq. 2)
ϵo ϵo
From eq 1. And eq 2
λl
2πrlE =
ϵo
1 λ
E=
2πϵo r
Therefore, the above equation is the electric field due to an infinitely long straight uniformly
charged wire.
Electric Field Due to a Uniformly Charged Infinite Plane Sheet

Φ = E × area of the circular caps of the cylinder

The electric lines of force and the curved surface of the cylinder are parallel to each other. Therefore,
the flux due to the electric field of the plane sheet passes through the two circular caps of the
cylinder.
Φ = E × 2A (eq. 1)
From the Gauss theorem, we know that,
q
Φ =
ε0
The charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface is given as,
q = 𝜎A
Therefore,
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Class 12th Physics

01 ELECTRIC CHARGES AND FIELDS

ELECTRIC FLUX

σA
Φ = (eq. 2)
ε0
From eq. 1 and eq. 2,
σA
E × 2A =
ε0
Therefore,
σ
E =
2ε0
The direction of an electric field will be in the outward direction when the charge density is positive
and perpendicular to the infinite plane sheet.