Question

A surface encloses the charges q1 = 3.2 μC , q2 = 6.7 μC , and q3 = -3.8 μC. Find the electric flux through this surface.

Answer 1

Electric flux is the rate of flow of the electric field through a given area (see ). Electric flux is proportional to the number of electric field lines going through a virtual surface. Mathematically can be described as,

$\phi = \frac{q_{in}}{\epsilon_0}$

Here,

q = Charge of the surface

$\epsilon_0$ = permittivity of free space constant

The surface charge is equivalent to the sum of the charges presented, therefore replacing,

$\phi= \frac{q_1+q_2+q_3}{\epsilon_0}$

$\phi = \frac{3.2+6.7+(3.8)}{8.85*10^{-12}}$

$\phi = 1.548*10^{12}N\cdot m^2/C$

Therefore the electric flux thorugh this surface is $1.548*10^{12}N\cdot m^2/C$