Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 4e (Giancoli)

Chapter 22 Gauss's Law

22.1 Conceptual Questions

1) State Gauss's law.
Answer: The total flux summed over any closed surface is equal to the net charge enclosed by the surface
divided by εO.
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

2) If a closed surface surrounds a dipole, the net flux through the surface is zero.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

3) If the net flux through a closed surface is zero, then there can be no charge or charges within that surface.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

4) If the net flux through a closed surface is positive, then the net charge enclosed must be positive.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

5) Gauss's law can be applied using any surface.

Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

6) Gauss's law may be applied only to charge distributions that are symmetric.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

7) If the electric flux through a rectangular area is 5.0 N m2/C, and the electric field is then doubled, what is the
resulting flux through the area?
A) 5.0 N m2/C
B) 10 N m2/C
C) 2.5 N m2/C
D) 1 N m2/C
E) 20 N m2/C
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-1

8) The electric field in a region of space is oriented along the positive y axis. A circle of radius R is placed in the
xz-plane. The flux of the electric field through this circle is Φ. The same electric field passing through a
second circle of radius 2R parallel to xz-plane would result in a flux equal to
A) Φ.
B) 0.
C) 4Φ.
D) 2Φ.
E) 3Φ.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-1

1
 9) If a rectangular area is rotated in a uniform electric field from the position where the maximum electric flux
goes through it to an orientation where only half the flux goes through it, what has been the angle of
rotation?
A) 45°
B) 26.6°
C) 90°
D) 30°
E) 60°
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-1

r
10) A uniform electric field E = E0 öj is set-up in a region of space. A frame is placed in that region in such a way
that its plane is perpendicular to the y-axis. Which of the following changes would decrease the magnitude
of the electric flux through the frame?
A) Sliding the frame sideways parallel to the z-axis within the xz-plane
B) moving the frame vertically along the y-axis keeping parallel to the xz-plane
C) rotating the frame in the xz-plane with respect to the y-axis
D) sliding the frame sideways parallel to the x-axis within the xz-plane
E) tilting the frame so that its plane is now in the yz-plane
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-1

11) A region of space contains a uniform electric field oriented along the y-axis. A frame of surface area A is
placed perpendicular to the y-axis in the xz-plane. The magnitude of the electric flux through this frame is
Φ0. A second frame is placed in the same electric field in such a way that the magnitude of the electric flux
through it is Φ0/2. How is the plane of second frame oriented with respect to the plane of the first one?
A) at a 90° angle
B) at a 60° angle
C) parallel to the first frame
D) perpendicular to the first frame
E) at a 30° angle
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-1

2
 FIGURE 22-1

12) Fig. 22-1 shows four Gaussian surfaces surrounding a distribution of charges. Which Gaussian surfaces have
an electric flux of +q/ εO through them?
A) a.
B) b.
C) b and d.
D) b and c.
E) c.
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

13) Fig. 22-1 shows four Gaussian surfaces surrounding a distribution of charges. Which Gaussian surfaces have
no electric flux through them?
A) a.
B) b.
C) c.
D) b and d.
E) b and c.
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

14) Gaussian surfaces A and B enclose the same positive charge +Q. The area of Gaussian surface A is three
times larger than that of Gaussian surface B. The flux of electric field through Gaussian surface A is
A) nine times larger than the flux of electric field through Gaussian surface B.
B) three times larger than the flux of electric field through Gaussian surface B.
C) equal to the flux of electric field through Gaussian surface B.
D) three times smaller than the flux of electric field through Gaussian surface B.
E) unrelated to the flux of electric field through Gaussian surface B.
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

3
15) A charge Q is positioned at the center of a sphere of radius R. The flux of the electric field through the sphere
is equal to Φ. If the charge Q is now placed at the center of a cube the flux of the electric field through the
surface of the cube is equal to
A) Φ/2.
B) Φ.
C) 2Φ.
D) 0.
E) The value of the flux depends on the dimensions of the cube.
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

16) If a charge is located at the center of a spherical volume and the electric flux through the surface of the
sphere is Φ0, what is the flux through the surface if the radius of the sphere doubles?
A) 0.125 Φ0
B) Φ0
C) 5 Φ0
D) 8 Φ0
E) 0.500 Φ0
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

17) A positive charge Q is located at the center of an imaginary Gaussian cube of sides a. The flux of the electric
field through the surface of the cube is Φ. A second, negative charge -Q is placed next to Q inside the cube.
Which of the following statements will be true in this case?
A) The net electric field on the surface of the cube is equal to zero
B) The electric field on the surface of the cube is perpendicular to the surface
C) The magnitude of the net electric field is constant on the entire surface of the cube
D) The net flux through the surface of the cube is equal to zero
E) The net flux through the surface is equal to 2Φ
Answer: D
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

18) Consider a spherical Gaussian surface of radius R centered at the origin. A charge Q is placed inside the
sphere. Where should the charge be located to maximize the magnitude of the flux of the electric field
through the Gaussian surface?
A) at x = 0, y = 0, z = R/2
B) at the origin
C) at x = R/2, y = 0, z = 0
D) at x = 0, y = R/2, z = 0
E) The flux does not depend on the position of the charge as long as it is inside the sphere
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

4
 19) Outside a spherically symmetric charge distribution of net charge Q, Gauss's law can be used to show that
the electric field at a given distance
A) must be zero.
B) must be directed outward.
C) acts like it originated in a point charge Q at the center of the distribution.
D) must be directed inward.
E) must be greater than zero.
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

20) An advantage in evaluating surface integrals related to Gauss's law for symmetric charge distributions is
A) the flux is outward.
B) the flux is inward.
C) the electric field is of constant magnitude on certain surfaces.
D) the charge is always on the surface.
E) the electric field is a constant on any surface.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

21) Two long straight parallel lines of charge, #1 and #2, carry positive charge per unit lengths of λ1 and λ2,
respectively. λ1 > λ2. The locus of points where the electric field is zero in this case is
A) along a line between the lines closer to line #2 than line #1.
B) at a point halfway between the lines.
C) along line #1.
D) along a line between the lines closer to line #1 than line #2.
E) cannot be determined
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

22.2 Quantitative Problems

r
1) A region of space contains an electric field E = E1 öi + E2 öj where E1 and E2 are positive constants. A frame
whose corners are located at (x, y, z) = (a/2, 0, a/2), (-a/2, 0,-a/2), (a/2, 0,-a/2), and (-a/2, 0, a/2). What is the
magnitude of the electric flux through the frame?
Answer: E a2
2
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-1

2) A long straight line of charge has a uniform positive charge per unit length λ. The line is partially enclosed in
a long rectangular box of length L and ends of area A, the line running through the center of each end. The
electric flux through the surface of the box is
Answer: λL/ εO.
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

3) Two long straight parallel lines of charge, #1 and #2, carry positive charge per unit lengths of λ1 and λ2
respectively. λ1 > λ2. The electric field halfway between the lines, which are separated by a distance a, has
magnitude
Answer: (λ1 - λ2)/π εOa.
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

5
4) A solid non-conducting sphere of radius R carries a charge Q1 distributed uniformly. The sphere is
surrounded by a concentric spherical shell of inner radius R a and outer radius Rb. The shell carries a total
charge Q2 distributed uniformly in its volume. What is the net electric field at a radial distance r such that R
< r < Ra?
Answer: Q
E= 1
4 O r 2
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

5) A charge Q is uniformly distributed throughout a nonconducting sphere of radius R. The charge density in
the sphere is
Answer: 3Q/4πR3.
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

6) A charge Q is uniformly distributed throughout a nonconducting sphere of radius R.

(a) What is the magnitude of the electric field at a distance R/2 from the center of the sphere?
(b) What is the magnitude of the electric field at a distance 2R from the center of the sphere?
Answer: (a) Q/8π εOR2

(b) Q/16π εOR2

Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

7) Two parallel flat planes of positive charge are separated by a distance d. Plane #1 has charge density σ1 and
plane #2 has a charge density σ2. σ1> σ2.
(a) In the region between the planes, the magnitude of the electric field is
(b) In the region outside the planes the magnitude of the electric field is
Answer: (a) (σ1 - σ2)/2εO.
(b) (σ1 + σ2)/2εO.
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

8) Three parallel flat planes of charge are separated by a distance d between each of the planes. The charge
density on each of the planes is σ. The field in the regions between the planes has magnitude
Answer: σ/2εO.
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

9) Three parallel flat planes of charge are separated by a distance d between each of the planes. The charge
density on each of the planes is σ. The maximum magnitude of the electric field in the vicinity of the planes
is
Answer: 3σ/2εO.
Diff: 3 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

6
 FIGURE 22-2

10) A uniform electric field with a magnitude of 6 × 106 N/C is applied to a cube of edge length 0.1 m as shown
in Fig. 22-2. If the direction of the E-field is along the +x-axis, what is the electric flux passing through the
shaded face of the cube?
A) 0.6 × 104 Nm2/C
B) 6 × 104 Nm2/C
C) 60 × 104 Nm2/C
D) 600 × 104 Nm2/C
E) 6000 × 104 Nm2/C
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Var: 5 Page Ref: Sec. 22-1

11) An uniform electric field of magnitude E = 100 N/C is oriented along the positive y-axis. What is the
magnitude of the flux of this field through a square of surface area A = 2 m2 oriented parallel to the yz-
plane?
A) 200 Nm2/C
B) 100 Nm2/C
C) 0
D) 400 Nm2/C
E) 600 Nm2/C
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-1

r
12) Consider an electric field E = 2x öi - 3y öj . The coordinates x and y are measured in meters and the electric
field is in N/C. What is the magnitude of the flux of this field through a square whose corners are located at
(x, y, z) = (0, 2, 0), (2, 2, 0), (0, 2, 2)?
A) 6 Nm2/C
B) 0
C) 24 Nm2/C
D) 12 Nm2/C
E) 48 Nm2/C
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-1

7
13) If the electric flux through a circular area is 5.0 Nm2/C, what is the electric flux through a circle of double the
diameter assuming the orientations of the circles are the same and the electric field is uniform?
A) 5.0 Nm2/C
B) 20 Nm2/C
C) 2.5 Nm2/C
D) 1.0 Nm2/C
E) 10.0 Nm2/C
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-1

14) If a point charge is located at the center of a cube and the electric flux through one face of the cube is 5.0
Nm2/C, what is the total flux leaving the cube?
A) 20 Nm2/C
B) 30 Nm2/C
C) 5.0 Nm2/C
D) 25 Nm2/C
E) 1 Nm2/C
Answer: B
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

15) If a point charge is located at the center of a cylinder and the electric flux leaving one end of the cylinder is
20% of the total flux leaving the cylinder, what portion of the flux leaves the curved surface of the cylinder?
A) 20%
B) 100%
C) 80%
D) 40%
E) 60%
Answer: E
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

16) A point charge q = +1 μC is located at the origin. What is the flux of the electric field of this charge through a
square whose corners are (x, y, z) = (1, 1, 1), (-1, 1, 1), (-1, 1, -1), and (1, 1, -1)?
A) 11.3 × 104 Nm2/C
B) 0.5 × 104 Nm2/C
C) 0
D) 1.0 × 104 Nm2/C
E) 1.9 × 104 Nm2/C
Answer: E
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

8
 r
17) A charge q = 2 μC is placed at the origin in a region where there is already a uniform electric field E = (100
N/C) öi . Calculate the flux of the net electric field through a Gaussian sphere of radius R = 10 cm centered at
the origin.
A) 5.52 × 105 Nm2/C
B) 1.13 × 105 Nm2/C
C) 2.26 × 105 Nm2/C
D) 0.565 × 105 Nm2/C
E) 0
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-2

18) Consider two oppositely charged, parallel metal plates. The plates are square with sides L and carry charges
Q and -Q. What is the magnitude of the electric field in the region between the plates?
A) Q
E= 2
OL
B) 2Q
E=
 O L2
C) E=0
D) 4Q
E= 2
OL
E) Q
E=
2 O L2
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

19) A solid non-conducting sphere of radius R carries a uniform charge density. At a radial distance r 1 = R/4 the
electric field has a magnitude E0. What is the magnitude of the electric field at a radial distance r 2 = 2R?
A) E0/4
B) 0
C) E0/2
D) E0
E) 2E0
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

20) A solid non-conducting sphere of radius R carries a charge Q distributed uniformly throughout its volume.
At a radius r (r < R) from the center of the sphere the electric field has a value E. If the same charge Q were
distributed uniformly throughout a sphere of radius 2R the magnitude of the electric field at a radius r
would be equal to
A) E/8.
B) E/2.
C) 2E.
D) 8E.
E) E.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Var: 1 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

9
21) A spherical, non-conducting shell of inner radius r 1= 10 cm and outer radius r2= 15 cm carries a total charge
Q = 15 μC distributed uniformly throughout its volume. What is the electric field at a distance r= 12 cm from
the center of the shell?
A) 5.75 × 103 N/C
B) 0
C) 2.87 × 106 N/C
D) 5.75 × 106 N/C
E) 2.87 × 103 N/C
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Var: 5 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

22) A non-conducting sphere of radius R = 7 cm carries a charge Q = 4 mC distributed uniformly throughout

its volume. At what distance, measured from the center of the sphere does the electric field reach a value
equal to half its maximum value?
A) 3.5 cm only
B) 4.9 cm only
C) 3.5 cm and 9.9 cm
D) 3.5 cm and 4.9 cm
E) 9.9 cm only
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Var: 5 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

23) An infinitely long cylinder of radius R = 2 cm carries a uniform charge density ρ = 18 μC/ m3. Calculate the
electric field at distance r = 1 cm from the axis of the cylinder.
A) 2.5 × 103 N/C
B) 5.1 × 103 N/C
C) 0
D) 2.0 × 103 N/C
E) 10.2 × 103 N/C
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Var: 5 Page Ref: Sec. 22-3

10