Electric Flux & Gauss's Law

Flashcards covering key concepts related to Electric Flux and Gauss's Law, including definitions and formulas.

Electric Flux

The number of electric field lines crossing a given area kept normal to the electric field lines.

Gauss's Law

The total electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the charge enclosed by the surface divided by the permittivity of free space.

Electric Field (E)

A physical quantity that represents the force per unit charge experienced by a stationary point charge in the field.

Positive Electric Flux

Occurs when the electric field lines exit the surface.

Negative Electric Flux

Occurs when the electric field lines enter the closed surface.

Electric Flux Formula for Uniform Electric Field

Φ = EA cosθ, where θ is the angle between the electric field and the normal to the surface.

Scalar Quantity

A type of quantity that has magnitude only and no direction, such as electric flux.

Closed Surface

A surface that divides space into an inside and an outside region; cannot move from one region to the other without crossing the surface.

Electric Field Strength

The strength of the electric field, which decreases as the distance from the charge increases.

Area Vector (A)

A vector that has a magnitude equal to the area and a direction normal to the surface.