An electric field, $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}=\frac{2 \hat{i}+6 \hat{j}+8 \hat{k}}{\sqrt{6}}$ passes through the surface of $4 \mathrm{~m}^2$ area having unit vector $\hat{n}=\left(\frac{2 \hat{i}+\hat{j}+\hat{k}}{\sqrt{6}}\right)$. The electric flux for that surface is _________ $\mathrm{Vm}$.
Answer (integer)
12
Solution
<p>The electric flux through a surface is given by the formula:</p>
<p>$$\Phi = \overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathrm{A}} = |\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}||\overrightarrow{\mathrm{A}}|\cos\theta$$</p>
<p>where $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}$ is the electric field, $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{A}}$ is the area vector (with magnitude equal to the area of the surface and direction perpendicular to the surface, defined by the unit vector $\hat{n}$), and $\theta$ is the angle between $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{A}}$. However, when using unit vectors to describe the directions of $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}$ and $\hat{n}$, the dot product can be used to simplify the calculation as follows:</p>
<p>$$\Phi = \overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}} \cdot \left(\overrightarrow{\mathrm{A}}\right) = (\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}} \cdot \hat{n})A$$</p>
<p>Given that $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}=\frac{2 \hat{i}+6 \hat{j}+8 \hat{k}}{\sqrt{6}}$ and $\hat{n}=\left(\frac{2 \hat{i}+\hat{j}+\hat{k}}{\sqrt{6}}\right)$, and the area $A = 4 \mathrm{m}^2$, we can substitute them into our formula. Note that since $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{A}} = A\hat{n}$, the magnitude of the area vector is the area of the surface itself. First, let's find $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}} \cdot \hat{n}$:</p>
<p>$$\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}} \cdot \hat{n} = \left(\frac{2 \hat{i}+6 \hat{j}+8 \hat{k}}{\sqrt{6}}\right) \cdot \left(\frac{2 \hat{i}+\hat{j}+\hat{k}}{\sqrt{6}}\right)$$</p>
<p>To compute the dot product, we multiply corresponding components and then add them up:</p>
<p>$$\left(\frac{2 \hat{i}+6 \hat{j}+8 \hat{k}}{\sqrt{6}}\right) \cdot \left(\frac{2 \hat{i}+\hat{j}+\hat{k}}{\sqrt{6}}\right) = \frac{1}{6}(2\cdot2 + 6\cdot1 + 8\cdot1)$$</p>
<p>$= \frac{1}{6}(4 + 6 + 8) = \frac{18}{6} = 3$</p>
<p>Then, the electric flux through the surface is:</p>
<p>$\Phi = (\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}} \cdot \hat{n})A = 3 \times 4 \mathrm{m}^2$</p>
<p>$\Phi = 12 \mathrm{Vm}$</p>
<p>So, the electric flux for that surface is $12 \mathrm{Vm}$.</p>
About this question
Subject: Physics · Chapter: Electrostatics · Topic: Electric Field and Field Lines
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