Q.An infinite line charge produces a field of 9×104N/C at a distance of 2cm. Calculate the linear charge density.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Gauss Law
Gauss's Law is a shortcut. Instead of adding up the Coulomb contribution of every charge — a nightmare of vectors and integrals — it lets you read the field straight off the symmetry of a problem. The whole idea rests on one quantity: electric flux.
Flux — field-lines counted through a surface. For a uniform field E crossing a flat area A, the flux is Φ = E·A = EA cosθ, where θ is the angle between the field and the normal to the surface. Picture the field as a bundle of lines; flux is how many pierce the surface. When E is edge-on (θ = 90°) nothing passes through and Φ = 0; when E is ⊥ to the surface (θ = 0) the count is maximal. For a closed surface, Φ is the net number of lines leaving it — lines that enter and exit cancel.
The law itself. Gauss's law states that the net flux out of any closed surface depends only on the charge trapped inside:
Φ = q_enclosed / ε₀.
Two consequences do most of the work. First, only enclosed charge counts — a charge outside sends as many lines in as out, so its net contribution is exactly zero. Second, the surface's shape is irrelevant; move the charge around inside or deform the surface, and Φ never changes.
Why symmetry makes it powerful. By itself Φ = q/ε₀ has E buried in an integral. It becomes a tool only when you pick a Gaussian surface matched to the symmetry — one where E is constant and everywhere either ⊥ to the surface (so Φ = EA) or ∥ to it (contributing nothing). Then E slides out and you solve in one line. This works for exactly three geometries:
1 — Infinite line charge (linear density λ). Use a coaxial cylinder: E = λ / 2πε₀r, falling off as ∝ 1/r.
2 — Infinite sheet (surface density σ). Use a pillbox pierced through the sheet: E = σ / 2ε₀ — uniform and completely independent of distance. The field near a large charged plane simply doesn't weaken as you step back. …
Why this formula?
Gauss's Law: Why It Holds
Gauss's Law is one of the four Maxwell's equations and a cornerstone of electromagnetism. Let's build the understanding from the ground up — not just the formula, but the why.
1. The Core Idea: Flux as "Flow" of Field
Imagine an electric field E passing through a small patch of area dA. The electric flux through that patch is:
dΦE=E⋅dA=EdAcosθ
where θ is the angle between E and the outward normal to the surface.
Why this definition?
- If E is perpendicular to the surface (θ=0), maximum field "flows through".
- If E is parallel (θ=90∘), no flux — the field just slides along the surface.
Total flux through a closed surface S is:
ΦE=∮SE⋅dA
2. The Key Insight: Flux Depends Only on Enclosed Charge
Consider a single point charge +q at the centre of a spherical surface of radius r.
- By Coulomb's law, at every point on the sphere: E=4πε01r2q, radially outward.
- The area vector dA is also radially outward.
- So E⋅dA=EdA everywhere.
The total flux:
ΦE=∮EdA=E∮dA=(4πε01r2q)(4πr2)=ε0q
Notice: The r2 cancels! The flux is independent of the radius.
3. Why Shape Doesn't Matter
Now, what if the surface is not spherical but any closed shape enclosing the charge?
- Draw a small cone from the charge to the surface.
- The flux through a patch dA at distance r is dΦ=4πε01r2qcosθdA.
- But r2cosθdA is exactly the solid angle dΩ subtended by dA at the charge.
So dΦ=4πε0qdΩ.
Integrating over the entire closed surface: ∮dΩ=4π (total solid angle around a point).
Hence:
ΦE=4πε0q⋅4π=ε0q
Result: For any closed surface enclosing q, the flux is ε0q.
4. Multiple Charges: Superposition
If there are many charges q1,q2,…,qn inside the surface, the total electric field is the vector sum of individual fields:
E=E1+E2+⋯+En
Flux is linear: …
For an infinite line charge, Gauss's law with a coaxial cylinder gives
E=2πε0rλ ⇒ λ=2πε0rE.
With E=9×104N/C, r=2cm=0.02m, and 2πε01=2×9×109: …
Applying Gauss's law to a coaxial cylinder gives E=λ/2πε0r; inverting for the given E and r yields λ=2πε0rE=1.0×10−7C/m=0.1μC/m.
An infinite line charge has cylindrical symmetry: the field is radial and its magnitude depends only on the perpendicular distance r. This makes a coaxial cylinder the natural Gaussian surface.
Step 1 — Gaussian surface. Take a cylinder of radius r and length L coaxial with the line. It encloses charge qenc=λL.
Step 2 — Flux. E is perpendicular to the curved wall (area 2πrL) and parallel to the flat end caps (zero flux there), so
ΦE=E(2πrL).
Step 3 — Gauss's law.
E(2πrL)=ε0λL ⇒ E=2πε0rλ,
the length L cancelling, as it must for an infinite line. …
Method: Gauss's Law for an Infinite Line Charge
Why Gauss's Law?
For an infinite line charge, the electric field has cylindrical symmetry — it points radially outward and depends only on the perpendicular distance from the wire. This symmetry makes a cylindrical Gaussian surface the perfect choice.
Steps
Step 1: Choose a Gaussian surface
Take a right circular cylinder of radius r and length L, coaxial with the line charge.
Step 2: Apply Gauss's Law
Gauss's Law states:
∮E⋅dA=ε0qenc
- The field E is radial and constant in magnitude over the curved surface.
- Flux through the flat ends is zero (field is parallel to the surface).
- Only the curved surface contributes.
Step 3: Compute the flux
Area of curved surface = 2πrL
Flux = E⋅(2πrL)
Step 4: Find enclosed charge
If λ is the linear charge density (charge per unit length), then:
qenc=λL
Step 5: Equate and solve for λ
E⋅(2πrL)=ε0λL
Cancel L:
E⋅2πr=ε0λ
So:
λ=2πε0rE
Numerical Calculation
Given:
- E=9×104N/C
- r=2cm=0.02m …
Common Mistakes with Gauss Law: Line Charge Problem
Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Formula for Field of a Line Charge
The error: Students often confuse the electric field formulas for different charge distributions — using the point charge formula (E=4πε01r2q) or the infinite sheet formula (E=2ε0σ) instead of the line charge formula.
Why it's wrong: Each charge distribution has a unique symmetry, and Gauss Law gives a different result for each. For an infinite line charge, the field falls off as 1/r, not 1/r2.
How to avoid: Memorise the three standard results from Gauss Law:
- Point charge: E∝r21
- Infinite line charge: E∝r1
- Infinite sheet: E is constant (independent of distance)
For this problem, the correct formula is:
E=2πε0rλ
where λ is the linear charge density.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to Convert Units
The error: Using r=2 directly in the formula without converting cm to m.
Why it's wrong: All SI units must be consistent. The electric field is in N/C, ε0 has units of C2/N⋅m2, so distance must be in metres.
How to avoid: Always write the conversion step explicitly:
r=2cm=2×10−2m=0.02m
Mistake 3: Incorrect Value or Units of ε0
The error: Using ε0=8.85×10−12 but forgetting the units, or using 9×109 (which is 4πε01) without adjusting the formula.
Why it's wrong: The formula E=2πε0rλ uses ε0 directly. If you use k=4πε01, the formula becomes:
E=r2kλ
Both are correct — but mixing them up gives wrong answers.
How to avoid: Stick to one consistent form throughout the calculation. I recommend:
E=2πε0rλ
with ε0=8.85×10−12C2/N⋅m2.
Mistake 4: Algebraic Errors While Solving for λ
The error: Rearranging incorrectly — for example, writing λ=E×2πε0r instead of λ=E×2πε0r (this one is actually correct, but students often multiply/divide the wrong terms).
How to avoid: Write the rearrangement step-by-step:
E=2πε0rλ …
Showing the 12 most recent of 37 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.S.I. unit of electric flux is (A) Vm (B) Vm^2 (C) Jm (D) NC^-1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Φ = E·A → (V/m)(m²) = V·m.
Electric flux is Φ=E⋅A.
Unit of electric field E = N/C = V/m (volt per metre).
Unit of area A = m².
…
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.The surface charge densities on the surface of two conducting spheres of radii r1 and r2 are equal. The ratio of electric field intensities on the surfaces is (A) r1/r2 (B) r1^2/r2^2 (C) r2^2/r1^2 (D) 1 : 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Just outside a charged conductor E = σ/ε₀; with equal σ the fields are equal (1:1).
The electric field just outside the surface of a charged conductor is
E=ε0σ,
which depends only on the local surface charge density σ, not on the radius.
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Electric flux is a(a) scalar quantity(b) vector quantity(c) scalar or vector quantity(d) constant quantity
›Reveal solutionSolution
Electric flux is a scalar quantity, even though it is defined using two vectors.
Electric flux through a surface is defined as
Φ=∮E⋅dA
Although E (electric field) and dA (area vector, normal to the surface element) are both vectors, their dot product E⋅dA=EdAcosθ is a single number (magnitude only, with a sign depending on θ) — it …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.A charge Q, is enclosed by a Gaussian spherical surface of radius R. If the radius is doubled, then the outward electric flux will(a) decrease to half(b) increase two times(c) remain unchanged(d) increase four times
›Reveal solutionSolution
Gauss's law: flux through any closed surface = Q_enclosed / epsilon_0, and this does NOT depend on the surface's size or shape.
Gauss's law states that for any closed (Gaussian) surface,
flux (phi) = Q_enclosed / epsilon_0
Here the same charge Q sits at the centre of the sphere both before and after the radius is doubled - the enclosed charge Q_enclosed is unchanged. Since flux depends ONLY on Q_enclosed and the permittivity of free space epsilon_0 (both unchanged here), the flux does not change even though the surface area (4piR^2) has increased fourfold. Doubling R spreads the same total flux over 4 ti …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.A hollow metal sphere of radius R is uniformly charged. The electric field due to the sphere at a distance r from the centre(a) increases as r increases for r<R and for r>R(b) is zero as r increases for r<R and decreases as r increases for r>R(c) is zero as r increases for r<R and increases as r increases for r>R(d) decreases as r increases for r<R and for r>R
›Reveal solutionSolution
A charged conducting (hollow metal) sphere carries all its charge on the outer surface. Gauss's law gives E=0 inside and E∝1/r2 (decreasing) outside.
Setting up Gauss's law
For a hollow, uniformly charged conducting sphere of radius R and total charge Q, all the charge resides on the outer surface (a fundamental property of conductors in electrostatic equilibrium — free charges repel each other and move to the surface where the electric field inside the conducting material is zero).
Take a concentric spherical Gaussian surface of radius r.
Case 1: r<R (inside the shell)
The Gaussian surface of radius r encloses no charge, because all the charge Q lies on the surface at radius R>r.
∮E⋅dA=ε0Qenc=0⟹E=0
This is true for every r<R — the field is zero throughout the interior, it does not "increase" or "decrease," it is simply zero.
Case 2: r>R (outside the shell)
Now the Gaussian surface encloses the entire charge Q. By spherical symmetry, E is radial and has the same magnitude everywhere on the Gaussian sphere, so
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Match the Column A with Column B and write the correct pair. Column A: Electric flux. Column B:(i) μ₀nI,(ii) Volt × second,(iii) μ₀nI/2,(iv) Volt × meter,(v) Volt × meter⁻¹,(vi) Volt.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Electric flux φ_E = E·A; unit = (V/m)(m²) = V·m, option (iv).
Electric flux through a surface is φ_E = E·A (for a uniform field perpendicular to area A). The SI unit of electric field E is volt per metre (V/m) = N/C, and area is in m². Therefore the unit of electric flux is
…
- CBSE 2025Set D1 markMCQQ.Gauss's law states that the electric flux through a closed surface is (A) proportional to the charge enclosed (B) inversely proportional to the charge enclosed (C) zero (D) proportional to the square of the charge enclosed
›Reveal solutionSolution
Gauss's law states the total electric flux through a closed surface equals the enclosed charge divided by ε₀, so Φ ∝ q_enclosed.
Gauss's law is written as
∮E⋅dA=ε0qenc
The left side is the total electric flux Φ through the closed (Gaussian) surface. Thus
Φ=ε0qenc
…
- CBSE 2025Set D1 markMCQQ.Inside a closed surface n electric dipoles are situated. The electric flux coming out from the closed surface will be (A) q/ε0 (B) 2q/ε0 (C) nq/ε0 (D) zero
›Reveal solutionSolution
A dipole has zero net charge, so n dipoles enclose zero charge and the net flux is zero.
Gauss's law states the net electric flux out of a closed surface is Φ = q_enclosed/ε₀.
Each electric dipole consists of +q and −q; its net charge is +q + (−q) = 0. With n dipoles inside, the total enclosed charge is n × 0 = 0.
…
- CBSE 2025Set A1 markQ.Write True or False: Inside a conductor, electrostatic field is zero.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The statement is True: the electrostatic field inside a conductor is zero in equilibrium.
In electrostatic equilibrium, free charges in a conductor redistribute themselves on the surface such that the electric field inside the body of the conductor is exactly zero. If there were a residual field inside, it would exert a force on the free electrons, causing them to keep moving — contradicting the assumption …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The SI unit of electric flux is(a) N C m^2(b) N C^-1 m^-2(c) N C^-1 m^2(d) N^2 C^-1 m^2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Electric flux is the field strength times the perpendicular area through which it passes, so its unit is simply the product of the units of E and area.
Electric flux through a surface is defined as ΦE=E⋅A (or ∫E⋅dA for a general surface).
- SI unit of electric field E = N C−1
- SI unit of area A = m2 …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The SI unit of electric flux is:(a) Nm2C−2(b) NC−1m2(c) CN2m−1(d) C2N−1m−2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Electric flux ΦE=E⋅A, so its unit is the unit of E (N C⁻¹) times the unit of area (m²).
Electric flux through a surface is defined as ΦE=∮E⋅dA, i.e. the product of the electric field and the area component perpendicular to it.
Since the SI unit of electric field E is newton per coulomb (NC−1) and the unit of area A is square metre (m2), the unit of electric flux is:
NC−1×m2=NC−1m2
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The SI unit of the surface integral of electric field is –(a) Vm(b) V(c) NC−1(d) Cm−3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Electric flux ΦE=∮E⋅dA has SI unit V·m (equivalent to N·m2/C).
The surface integral of the electric field, ΦE=∮E⋅dA, is the electric flux. Since E has SI unit V/m (or equivalently N/C) and area has unit m2, the flux has uni …
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