The **Gauss's Theorem**, also known as **Gauss's Law**, is one of the four fundamental laws in classical electromagnetism, formulated by Carl Friedrich Gauss. It's a key concept in the 12th-grade physics curriculum, especially in the study of electric fields and electrostatics.
### Gauss's Law Definition
Gauss's Law relates the electric flux through a closed surface to the charge enclosed by that surface. Mathematically, it is expressed as:
\[
\Phi_E = \dfrac{Q_{\text{enclosed}}}{\varepsilon_0}
\]
where:
- \(\Phi_E\) is the **electric flux** through a closed surface,
- \(Q_{\text{enclosed}}\) is the total **charge enclosed** within the surface,
- \(\varepsilon_0\) is the **permittivity of free space**, a constant equal to approximately \(8.854 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{C}^2/\text{N·m}^2\).
### Key Concepts:
1. **Electric Flux** (\(\Phi_E\)):
- Electric flux is the total number of electric field lines passing through a given surface. It represents how much of the electric field penetrates a surface.
- Mathematically, electric flux through a small area \(\Delta A\) is given by:
\[
\Delta \Phi_E = \vec{E} \cdot \Delta \vec{A}
\]
where:
- \(\vec{E}\) is the electric field,
- \(\Delta \vec{A}\) is the area vector perpendicular to the surface.
- For a closed surface, the total flux is obtained by integrating this over the entire surface:
\[
\Phi_E = \oint_S \vec{E} \cdot \vec{dA}
\]
Here, the closed integral (denoted by \(\oint\)) means that the surface is closed, like a sphere or a cube.
2. **Closed Surface**:
- Gauss's Law is applied to closed surfaces (often called **Gaussian surfaces**), such as a spherical surface, cube, or any other shape.
- The law only considers the net charge **enclosed** by the surface. Any charges outside the surface do not contribute to the flux through the surface.
3. **Permittivity of Free Space (\(\varepsilon_0\))**:
- This is a constant that defines how easily electric fields can pass through a vacuum. It's a fundamental property of space in classical physics.
### Physical Interpretation:
Gauss’s Law states that the total electric flux through any closed surface is directly proportional to the total electric charge enclosed within that surface. In simpler terms:
- If there's a positive charge inside the surface, the electric field lines point outward.
- If there's a negative charge inside the surface, the electric field lines point inward.
- If there is no net charge inside, the net electric flux through the surface is zero.
### Application of Gauss's Law:
Gauss's Law is most useful in cases with **symmetry** (such as spherical, cylindrical, or planar symmetry). It simplifies the calculation of the electric field in these cases.
#### Example 1: Electric Field due to a Point Charge
- For a point charge \(Q\) placed at the center of a spherical surface (Gaussian surface):
\[
\Phi_E = E \times A = E \times 4\pi r^2
\]
By Gauss's Law:
\[
E \times 4\pi r^2 = \frac{Q}{\varepsilon_0}
\]
Therefore, the electric field at a distance \(r\) from the charge is:
\[
E = \dfrac{Q}{4\pi \varepsilon_0 r^2}
\]
This result is consistent with Coulomb’s Law.
#### Example 2: Electric Field due to an Infinite Plane Sheet of Charge
- For an infinite plane of charge with uniform charge density \(\sigma\), the electric field is constant and can be calculated using Gauss's Law by choosing a cylindrical Gaussian surface.
### Why Gauss’s Law is Important:
- **Simplification**: Gauss's Law provides an easier way to calculate electric fields for systems with high symmetry.
- **Fundamental Law**: It forms one of Maxwell's equations, which are the foundation of classical electromagnetism.
In summary, Gauss's Law connects the electric field in a region to the charge distribution within it and is a crucial tool for solving electrostatic problems.