Determine the flux of the electric field through a spherical surface of radius R caused by a charge of 10⁻⁷ C located at its centre and a second identical charge positioned at a distance of 2R from the centre, as shown in the figure.

Step-by-step solution

According to Gauss's Law, the total electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the net charge enclosed by the surface divided by the permittivity of free space ( ₀ ). = q_ enclosed ₀ The spherical surface has a radius R . The charge located at the centre is inside the sphere, while the identical charge positioned at a distance 2R from the centre is outside the sphere. Therefore, the net charge enclosed by the spherical surface is only the charge at the centre. q_ enclosed = 10⁻⁷ C The electric flux through