Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 27 - Gauss's Law - Exercises and Problems - Page 807: 29

Answer

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Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ We are given the top view of a cube. We can assume that the electric field is uniform over the four faces of the cube. We know that the electric flux through a surface is given by $$\Phi_e=\vec E\cdot \vec A=EA\cos\theta$$ The area of the 4 surfaces is the same and is given by $L^2$ where $L=3$ cm. Hence, $$\Phi_e=EL^2\cos\theta$$ As we see in the figure below, we found the angles between the area vectors of the 4 sides and the electric field. At side 1, $$\Phi_1=EL^2\cos\theta_1=(500)(0.03)^2\cos150^\circ$$ $$\Phi_1=\color{red}{\bf -0.39}\;\rm N\cdot m^2/C $$ At side 2, $$\Phi_2=EL^2\cos\theta_2=(500)(0.03)^2\cos60^\circ$$ $$\Phi_2=\color{red}{\bf 0.225}\;\rm N\cdot m^2/C $$ At side 3, $$\Phi_3=EL^2\cos\theta_3=(500)(0.03)^2\cos30^\circ$$ $$\Phi_3=\color{red}{\bf 0.39}\;\rm N\cdot m^2/C $$ At side 4, $$\Phi_4=EL^2\cos\theta_4=(500)(0.03)^2\cos60^\circ$$ $$\Phi_4=\color{red}{\bf -0.225}\;\rm N\cdot m^2/C $$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ The net flux through the four sides is given by $$\Phi_{net}=\Phi_1+\Phi_2+\Phi_3+\Phi_4$$ $$\Phi_{net}=-0.39+0.225+0.39-0.225$$ $$\Phi_{net}=\color{red}{\bf 0}\;\rm N\cdot m^2/C $$
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