Gauss's Law
Source lecture(s): SC134 Lec4
Physical Meaning
Net outward flux equals enclosed charge over \(\varepsilon_0\).
Variable Definitions
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| \(\Phi_E\) | electric flux |
| \(q_{\text{enc}}\) | enclosed charge |
| \(\varepsilon_0\) | permittivity |
Assumptions
Valid for any closed surface; useful when symmetry is high.
Derivation
Apply divergence theorem to Coulomb field; integrate over sphere.
Applications
Capacitor design, shielding, coaxial cable fields.
Connections to Other Equations
- electric-flux
- electric-field-eq