Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]PhysicsGauss's Law
Identify the correct statement:
Options
- AGauss's law is valid only for charges situated in a vacuum.
- BGauss's law is applicable only to symmetrical charge distributions.
- CThe flux of the electric field across a closed surface due to all charges is equal to the flux due to the char
- DThe electric field computed by Gauss's law is the field produced by the charges inside the Gaussian surface.
Correct answer
C. The flux of the electric field across a closed surface due to all charges is equal to the flux due to the char
Step-by-step solution
Gauss's law states that the total electric flux through any closed surface is equal to 1 ₀ times the net charge enclosed by the surface. The electric field E in the expression E d A = q_ enclosed ₀ is the resultant electric field due to all charges present in space, both inside and outside the Gaussian surface. However, the electric flux contributed by the charges situated outside the closed surface is zero, because any field line from an outside charge that enters the surface must also exit it. Therefore, the tota