Applications of Gauss’s Law

Gauss’s Law can be utilised to address complex electrostatic issues with unusual symmetry,
such as cylindrical, spherical, or planar. In other circumstances, calculating the electric field is
also fairly difficult and requires a lot of integration. Gauss’s Law can be used to evaluate an
electric field straightforwardly.

The following is how we use Gauss’s Law:

 Use a Gaussian surface so that evaluating the electric field is simple.

 Use symmetry to make problems easier to solve.
 Keep in mind that the gaussian surface does not have to match the real surface; it might be
inside or outside the gaussian surface.

Electric field due to Infinite Wire

Consider a wire that is infinitely long and has a linear charge density. Due to the symmetry of the
wire, let’s take a cylindrical gaussian surface for instance to compute the electric field. Because
the electric field E is radial in direction, flux through the end of the cylindrical surface will be 0
because the electric field and the area vector are perpendiculars. The curved gaussian surface
will be the only source of electric flux. The magnitude of the electric field will be constant because
it is perpendicular to every point of the curved surface.

E.2πL=λL/ε0

So, E=λ/2πε0x

E=Electric field at a distance x

x=Distance from axis of cylinder

λ=charge per unit length

Ε0 = Vacuum permittivity

Electric field due to Infinite Plate Sheet

One of the applications of the gauss theorem in the calculation of electric fields is that the electric
field produced by an infinite charge sheet is perpendicular to the sheet’s plane. Charge q will be
 the charge density (σ) times the area in a continuous charge distribution (A). When considering
net electric flux, we will only consider electric flow from the two ends of the imaginary Gaussian
surface. The electric field and the curved surface area are perpendicular to each other, resulting
in zero electric flux. So, the net electric flux is

Φ = EA – (– EA)

Φ = 2EA=σA/ε0

E=σ/2ε0

1. Electric field due to Thin Spherical

Shell
Let’s assume a thin spherical shell with a radius “R” and a surface charge density of σ. We can
see that the shell possesses spherical symmetry just by looking at it. As a result, we can
calculate the electric field owing to the spherical shell:

Φ = E × 4 πr2=Q/ε

E=Q/4πε

1. The electric field outside the spherical

shell
Take a point P outside the spherical shell at a distance r from the centre of the spherical shell to
find the electric field. For symmetry, we employ a gaussian spherical surface with radius r and
centre O. Because all points are equally spaced “r” from the sphere’s centre, the gaussian
surface will pass through P and experience a constant electric field E all around.

Inside the gaussian surface q, the enclosed charge will be σ × 4 πR2. Through the gaussian
surface, the total electric flux will be

Φ = E × 4 πr2

The electric field inside the spherical shell

Take a point P inside the spherical shell to measure the electric field inside the shell. To create a
spherical gaussian surface, it is possible to use symmetry that passes through P, is centred at O,
and has a radius of r. Now, based on Gauss’s Law:
The net electric flux will be E × 4 π r2.

Conclusion
Hopefully, you have got a clear idea about Gauss law and its applications.

Gauss Law is a fundamental principle in learning and understanding electricity. It explains

whether there is an electrical charge encapsulated in the closed surface or whether there is an
electrical charge present in the closed surface. Even though the computation of electric fields is
highly complicated, Gauss’ Law may address difficult electrostatic problems, including unique
symmetries such as cylindrical, spherical, or planar symmetry.

Electric Field due to Infinitely Charged Wire

Consider an infinitely long wire with a linear load density of λ and a length of L. To
calculate the electrical field, we assume that the Gaussian cylindrical surface is due
to wire symmetry.

 As the electrical field E is radial in the direction, the flow through the end of the
cylindrical surface will be zero, as the electrical field and the area vector are
perpendicular to each other.
 The only flowing electric flux will be through the curved Gaussian surface.
 As the electric field is perpendicular to every point of the curved surface, its
magnitude will be constant.
 A cylindrical Gaussian Surface of radius r and length l

The surface area of the curved cylindrical surface will be 2πrl. The electric flux
through the curve will be: E × 2πrl.

According to Gauss’s Law,

ϕ=qϵ0�=��0
⇒ E×2πrl=λlϵ0�×2���=���0
⇒ E=λ2πϵ0r�=�2��0�
Vectorically, the above relation is:

→E=λ2πϵ0r^n�→=�2��0��^
Where, ^n�^ is a radial unit vector pointing the direction of the electric
field →E�→
The direction of electric field is radially outward in case of positive linear
charge density
  Note 1: The direction of the electric field will be radially outward if linear charge
density is positive and it will be radially inward if linear charge density is negative.
 Note 2: We considered only the enclosed charge inside the Gaussian surface
 Note 3: The assumption that the wire is infinitely long is important because, without
this assumption, the electric field will not be perpendicular to the curved cylindrical
Gaussian surface and will be at some angle with the surface.

Electric Field due to Infinite Plate Sheet

Imagine an infinite plane sheet, with surface charge density σ and cross-sectional
area A. The position of the infinite plane sheet is given in the figure below:

Electric Field due to Infinite Plate Sheet

Infinite Charge Sheet

The direction of the electric field due to the infinite charge sheet will be perpendicular
to the plane of the sheet.

 Let’s consider a cylindrical Gaussian surface, whose axis is normal to the plane of
the sheet. The electric field →E�→ can be evaluated from Gauss’s Law.
 According to Gauss’s Law:

ϕ=qϵ0�=��0

 From continuous charge distribution charge q will be σ A.

 Talking about net electric flux, we will consider electric flux only from the two ends of
the assumed Gaussian surface.
 This is because the curved surface area and an electric field are normal to each
other, thereby producing zero electric flux. So the net electric flux will be

⇒ Φ = EA – (– EA)

⇒ Φ = 2EA

Then we can write:

⇒ 2EA=σAϵ02��=���0
The term A cancels out which means the electric field due to the infinite plane sheet
is independent of cross-section area A and equal to:

⇒ E=σ2ϵ0�=�2�0
In vector form, the above equation can be written as
→E=λ2πϵ0r^n�→=�2��0��^
Here, ^n�^ is a unit vector depicting the direction of the electric field
perpendicular and away from the infinite sheet.

 Note 1: The direction of the electric field is away from the infinite sheet if the surface
charge density is positive and towards the infinite sheet if the surface charge density
is negative.
 Note 2: Electric field due to the infinite sheet is independent of its position.

Electric Field due to thin Spherical Shell

Consider the thin spherical shell of the density of the surface charge and the radius
"R." By observation, it is obvious that the shell has spherical symmetry. The electric
field due to the spherical shell can be evaluated in two different positions:

 Electric Field Outside the Spherical Shell

 Electric Field Inside the Spherical Shell

Thus,

Electric Field Outside the Spherical Shell

To find an electric field outside the spherical shell, we take a point P outside the shell
at a distance r from the center of the spherical shell.

 By symmetry, we take a Gaussian spherical surface with radius r and centre O.

 The Gaussian surface will pass through P, and experience a constant electric
field →E�→ all around as all points are equally distanced “r’’ from the centre of the
sphere.

Diagram of a spherical shell with point P outside

Then, according to Gauss’s Law,

⇒ ϕ=qϵ0�=��0
The enclosed charge inside the Gaussian surface q will be σ × 4 πR2. The total
electric flux through the Gaussian surface will be:

⇒ Φ = E × 4 πr2

Then by Gauss’s Law, we can claim:

E×4πr2=σ×4πR3ϵ0�×4��2=�×4��3�0
E=σR2ϵ0r2�=��2�0�2
Putting the value of surface charge density σ as q/4 πR2, we can rewrite the electric
field as

E=kqr2�=���2
In vector form, the electric field is

→E=kqr2^r�→=���2�^
Where, ^r�^ is a radius vector, depicting the direction of the electric field.
Note: If the surface charge density σ is negative, the direction of the electric field will
be radially inward.

Electric Field Inside the Spherical Shell

Let's take point P inside the spherical shell to evaluate the electric field inside the
spherical shell.

 By symmetry, we take again the spherical Gaussian surface passing through P,

centred at O and radius r.
 Now, according to Gauss law,

The net electric flux will be E × 4 π r2.

But the enclosed charge q will be zero, as we know that surface charge density is
dispersed outside the surface, therefore there is no charge inside the spherical shell.

Thus, by Gauss’s Law:

E = 4πr2 = 0

E=0

Note: There is no electric field inside the spherical shell because of the absence of
an enclosed charge
Some Other Applications of Gauss Law
Some of the other Gauss Law and its applications are:

 For a charged ring of radius R on an axis which is at a distance x from the centre of the ring = E=14π∈0qx(R2+x2)3/2�=14�∈0
per the formula, the centre, x = 0 and E = 0).
 At a distance “r”, an infinite line of charge is, E = (1/4 × πrε0) (2π/r) = λ/2πrε0). Here, λ = linear charge density.
 An electric field’s intensity near a plane sheet of charge: E = σ/2ε0K. Here, σ is surface charge density.
 An electric field’s intensity near a plane-charged conductor: E = σ/Kε0 present in a medium of dielectric constant, K. Assuming
is air, then, it can be expressed as: Eair = σ/ε0.
 The field which is between two parallel plates of a condenser can be expressed as: E = σ/ε0, Here, σ = surface charge density.
 Gauss’ Law for magnetism can be applied to the magnetic flux via a closed surface. In this case, the area vector is seen to poin
Because magnetic field lines are continuous loops, all closed surfaces have an equal number of magnetic field lines that goes i
the net magnetic flux via a closed surface is zero.

Gauss Law Formula

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As per the Gauss theorem, the total charge enclosed in a closed surface is
proportional to the total flux enclosed by the surface. Therefore, if Φ is total flux and
ε0 is electric constant, the total electric charge Q enclosed by the surface is; Q = Φε0

The Gauss law formula is expressed by:

Where,

 Q = total charge within the given surface,

 ε0 = the electric constant

Gauss Theorem

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Gauss theorem states that the net flux through a closed surface is directly
proportional to the net charge in the volume enclosed by the closed surface.

Φ = → E.d → A = qnet/ε0
In simpler words, the Gauss theorem in electrostatics relates the 'flow' of electrical
field lines (flux) to charges within the enclosed surface. If there are no charges
enclosed to the surface, the net electric flux remains zero. This means that the
number of electric field lines entering the surface is equal to the field lines leaving the
surface.

Important Result proposed by Gauss Theorem Statement

As per Gauss Theorem Statement:

 The electrical flux from any enclosed surface is due to the sources (positive charges)
and sinks (negative charges) of the electrical fields enclosed by the surface.
 Any charges outside the surface do not contribute to the flow of electricity.
 Also, only electrical charges can act as sources or sinks for electrical fields.
Changing magnetic fields, for example, cannot act as sources or sinks of electrical
fields.
 The net flux for the surface on the left is non-zero as it encloses a net charge. The
net flux for the surface on the right is zero since it does not enclose any charge.

Gauss Law in Magnetism

Note: The Gauss law is only a restatement of Coulomb's law. If you apply the Gauss
theorem to a point charge enclosed by a sphere, you will get back Coulomb's law
easily.