Electric flux through a multihedral face

In summary, the question asks for the electric flux through one surface of a regular tetrahedron with a charge of 0.920 C at its center. The formula for electric flux is given, and the total flux through the whole surface can be calculated. Knowing that the tetrahedron has 4 equivalent surfaces, the fraction of flux through one face can be determined. The value of Eo, or the permittivity of free space, is also mentioned and can be found online.
  • #1
JJones_86
72
0

Homework Statement


An object with a charge of 0.920 C is placed at the center of a regular tetrahedron with 4 equivalent surfaces. What is the electric flux through one surface of the tetrahedron?


Homework Equations


For an n-sided polygon

Electric Flux = Charge / (n)(Eo)


The Attempt at a Solution



No idea, I am lost on this one...
 
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  • #2
Think of the tetrahedron surface enclosing the charge. You can easily calculate the total flux through the whole surface using your formula.

Now, what fraction of that will go through one face of the tetrahedron? Note: be sure you know what a "regular" tetrahedron is.
 
  • #3
Delphi51 said:
Think of the tetrahedron surface enclosing the charge. You can easily calculate the total flux through the whole surface using your formula.

Now, what fraction of that will go through one face of the tetrahedron? Note: be sure you know what a "regular" tetrahedron is.

I'm just lost on what Eo is?
 
  • #4
Eo in Gauss' law is supposed to be written epsilon sub zero, the permittivity of free space.
It is 8.85 x 10^-12 farad/meter.
Check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_constant
They have other names for it and several variations on the units that could be useful to you here.
 
  • #5
Delphi51 said:
Eo in Gauss' law is supposed to be written epsilon sub zero, the permittivity of free space.
It is 8.85 x 10^-12 farad/meter.
Check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_constant
They have other names for it and several variations on the units that could be useful to you here.

Hey thanks man, my professor failed to tell us that and its not in this useless pc textbook. I appreciate it!
 
  • #6
so should it be 0.92C/4(8.85x10^-12) = 2.59887e10?
 

FAQ: Electric flux through a multihedral face

What is electric flux through a multihedral face?

Electric flux through a multihedral face is a measure of the amount of electric field passing through a given surface. It is represented by the symbol Φ and is measured in units of volts per meter (V/m).

How is electric flux through a multihedral face calculated?

The electric flux through a multihedral face can be calculated by taking the dot product of the electric field vector and the surface vector. This calculation takes into account the angle between the two vectors and is represented by the equation Φ = E * A * cos(θ), where E is the electric field, A is the surface area, and θ is the angle between the two vectors.

What is the significance of electric flux through a multihedral face?

The electric flux through a multihedral face is an important concept in electromagnetism as it helps to describe the strength and direction of an electric field. It is also used in many practical applications, such as in the design of electrical circuits and devices.

Can the electric flux through a multihedral face be negative?

Yes, the electric flux through a multihedral face can be negative. This occurs when the electric field and surface vector are in opposite directions, resulting in a negative dot product. A negative electric flux indicates that the electric field is leaving the surface, while a positive electric flux indicates that the electric field is entering the surface.

How does the electric flux through a multihedral face relate to Gauss's Law?

Gauss's Law states that the electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the charge enclosed by that surface divided by the permittivity of free space (ε0). This means that by calculating the electric flux through a multihedral face, we can determine the amount of charge enclosed by the surface. This relationship is often used in the analysis of electric fields and their behavior around charged objects.

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