A capacitor with capacitance C is charged to a potential V . What is the flux of the electric field through a closed surface that completely encloses the capacitor?

Step-by-step solution

A capacitor consists of two plates having equal and opposite charges, +Q and -Q . The total charge enclosed by a closed surface that completely encloses the capacitor is Q_ enclosed = +Q - Q = 0 . According to Gauss's law, the total electric flux through a closed surface is given by = Q_ enclosed ₀ . Since Q_ enclosed = 0 , the electric flux through the closed surface is zero.