2) More electric flux and a cube Taken from another textbook. Consider a cube with sides of length a and one point charge +q at the corner of the cube as illustrated below: +q a) Explain why the flux through any of the three sides of the cube not touching the point charge (like the gray shaded one) is given by 24€0 b) Explain why the flux through any of the three sides of the cube touching the point charge is zero. Hint: It will be helpful to make a larger (boxy) structure that completely encloses the charge.

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
icon
Related questions
Question
**2) More electric flux and a cube**

*Taken from another textbook. Consider a cube with sides of length \( a \) and one point charge \( +q \) at the corner of the cube as illustrated below:*

![Diagram]

Solution:

1. **Diagram Explanation:**
   The diagram shows a cube with sides of length \( a \). A point charge \( +q \) is placed at one of the corners of the cube. There are three arrows indicating the three sides of the cube extending away from the corner where the charge is located.

2. a) **Explain why the flux through any of the three sides of the cube not touching the point charge (like the gray shaded one) is given by \( \frac{q}{24 \epsilon_0} \):**

   To understand the flux through the three sides not touching the point charge, consider a larger cube that completely encloses the charge \( +q \). This larger structure would have eight smaller cubes, each similar to the cube illustrated but sharing the corner with the charge. Since flux distributes evenly and the total flux \( \Phi \) due to charge \( q \) is \( \frac{q}{\epsilon_0} \), the flux through one of the three sides of one smaller cube that doesn't touch the charge is \( \frac{q}{24 \epsilon_0} \).

3. b) **Explain why the flux through any of the three sides of the cube touching the point charge is zero:**

   The flux through any of the three sides of the cube touching the point charge is zero because the electric field passes through the point charge directly at the vertex. Since these sides share the point charge, the electric flux through these sides is not perpendicular to the surface and effectively cancels out any contribution of flux on these sides.

**Hint: It will be helpful to make a larger (boxy) structure that completely encloses the charge.**
Transcribed Image Text:**2) More electric flux and a cube** *Taken from another textbook. Consider a cube with sides of length \( a \) and one point charge \( +q \) at the corner of the cube as illustrated below:* ![Diagram] Solution: 1. **Diagram Explanation:** The diagram shows a cube with sides of length \( a \). A point charge \( +q \) is placed at one of the corners of the cube. There are three arrows indicating the three sides of the cube extending away from the corner where the charge is located. 2. a) **Explain why the flux through any of the three sides of the cube not touching the point charge (like the gray shaded one) is given by \( \frac{q}{24 \epsilon_0} \):** To understand the flux through the three sides not touching the point charge, consider a larger cube that completely encloses the charge \( +q \). This larger structure would have eight smaller cubes, each similar to the cube illustrated but sharing the corner with the charge. Since flux distributes evenly and the total flux \( \Phi \) due to charge \( q \) is \( \frac{q}{\epsilon_0} \), the flux through one of the three sides of one smaller cube that doesn't touch the charge is \( \frac{q}{24 \epsilon_0} \). 3. b) **Explain why the flux through any of the three sides of the cube touching the point charge is zero:** The flux through any of the three sides of the cube touching the point charge is zero because the electric field passes through the point charge directly at the vertex. Since these sides share the point charge, the electric flux through these sides is not perpendicular to the surface and effectively cancels out any contribution of flux on these sides. **Hint: It will be helpful to make a larger (boxy) structure that completely encloses the charge.**
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps with 3 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Electric field
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics (14th Edition)
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:
9780321820464
Author:
Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina Brissenden
Publisher:
Addison-Wesley
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
Physics
ISBN:
9780134609034
Author:
Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart Field
Publisher:
PEARSON