A cubical surface with sides 2.0 m long is oriented with right and left faces perpendicular to a uniform electric field of (1.6 *10⁵ N/C) . The net charge enclosed by this surface is approximately A) 25 * 10⁵ µC B) 6.4 *10⁵ µC C) 13 *10⁵ µC D) zero E) 38 * 10⁵ µC

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Gauss's Law, the net charge enclosed by a closed surface is proportional to the flux of the electric field through that surface. Since the electric field is perpendicular to the right and left faces of the cube, the flux through those faces is zero. The only faces with non-zero flux are the top and bottom faces, and since those faces are parallel to the electric field, the flux through each face is equal and opposite, resulting in a net flux of zero. Therefore, the net charge enclosed by the surface is zero.

A Cubical Surface with Sides 2