Gauss's Law Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to Gauss's Law, including definitions, formulas, and principles.

Gauss's Law

A law that relates the electric flux through a closed surface to the charge enclosed by that surface, expressed mathematically as ∮ E · dA = Q_encl/ε₀.

Electric Flux (Φ_E)

A measure of the amount of electric field passing through a surface, calculated as Φ_E = E · A · cos(θ), where θ is the angle between the electric field and the normal to the surface.

Enclosed Charge (Q_encl)

The total amount of electric charge contained within a closed surface.

Permittivity of Free Space (ε₀)

A constant that describes how electric fields interact with the vacuum of space, approximately equal to 8.85 x 10^-12 F/m.

Total Flux

The integral of the electric field over a closed surface, relating to the net charge enclosed by that surface.

Nonconducting Sphere

An object with a uniform charge density throughout, allowing the electric field to be calculated using Gauss's Law.

Uniform Electric Field

An electric field that has the same magnitude and direction at all points.

Coulomb's Law

Describes the force between two charged particles, which is proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Symmetry in Charge Distribution

The property that allows simplification of complex electric fields, often leading to easier calculations of electric field using Gauss's Law.

Gaussian Surface

An imaginary closed surface used in the application of Gauss's Law to evaluate electric flux.

Electric Field Strength (E)

The force per unit charge experienced by a small positive test charge placed in the field, measured in N/C.

Flux Leaving a Surface

The positive value of the electric flux passing through a surface when the electric field points outward from the surface.

Flux Entering a Surface

The negative value of the electric flux passing through a surface when the electric field points inward toward the surface.

Spherical Symmetry

A configuration where a charge is evenly distributed in all directions around a central point, simplifying calculations of the electric field.

Electric Field Inside a Conductor

Zero in electrostatic equilibrium, as charges redistribute themselves until the net electric field is cancelled within the conductor.

Conductor vs. Nonconductor

Conductors allow free movement of charge, resulting in charge distribution on their surfaces, while nonconductors do not allow free movement of charge.

Electric Field Due to Long Straight Wire

E = λ/(2πε₀r), where λ is the linear charge density and r is the radial distance from the wire.