Explain electric flux.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) If a small planar element of area $\overrightarrow{\Delta S}$ is placed in an electric field $\vec{E}$, the number of field lines crossing it is proportional to $\vec{E} \cdot \overrightarrow{\Delta S}$.
Suppose we tilt the area element by an angle $\theta$ relative to the normal, the number of field lines crossing $\Delta S$ is proportional to $E \Delta S \cos \theta$.
When $\theta = 90^{\circ}$, the field lines are parallel to the surface and do not cross it at all.
When $\theta = 0^{\circ}$, the field lines are normal to the surface.
The vector associated with every area element of a closed surface is taken to be in the direction of the outward normal. Thus, the area element vector $\overrightarrow{\Delta S}$ at a point on a closed surface equals $\Delta S \hat{n}$, where $\Delta S$ is the magnitude of the area element and $\hat{n}$ is a unit vector in the direction of the outward normal at that point.
Electric flux is the number of electric field lines passing through or associated with a surface placed in an electric field.
Therefore, the electric flux $\Delta \phi$ through an area element $\Delta \overrightarrow{S}$ is $\Delta \phi = \vec{E} \cdot \Delta \overrightarrow{S} = E \Delta S \cos \theta$, where $\theta$ is the angle between $\vec{E}$ and $\overrightarrow{\Delta S}$.
The total flux $\phi$ is given by $\phi = \int \vec{E} \cdot d\overrightarrow{S} = E \Delta S \cos \theta$.
The $SI$ unit of electric flux is $N \cdot m^{2} \cdot C^{-1}$ or $V \cdot m$, and it is a scalar quantity.
Definition of electric flux: "Electric flux associated with any area is the surface integral of the electric field vector over that area."

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ charge is kept at the central point $P$ of a cylindrical region. The two edges subtend a half-angle $\theta$ at $P$, as shown in the figure. When $\theta=30^{\circ}$, then the electric flux through the curved surface of the cylinder is $\Phi$. If $\theta=60^{\circ}$, then the electric flux through the curved surface becomes $\Phi / \sqrt{n}$, where the value of $n$ is. . . . . . .

Draw the electric field lines of a positive point charge.

Which of the following is a correct statement?

For a closed surface $\oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{s} = 0$,then:

$A$ long straight wire of radius $1 \, mm$ has a uniform charge distribution. The charge per $cm$ length of the wire is $Q \, Coulombs$. $A$ cylinder of radius $50 \, cm$ and length $1 \, m$ encloses the wire symmetrically. The total flux passing through the surface of the cylinder is ..........

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo