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Introduction
In this article, you will find all the important concepts related to Electric flux. Electric flux refers to the measure of the electric field that is equivalent to the flow of liquid in a pipe in a fixed direction with a velocity of v.
Here we will discuss electric flux, the analogy between water and that of the flux of an electric field, and the calculation of electric flux.
The article will also help you in understanding the basics of electric flux, its SI unit, its dimensional formula, and what the electric flux through a closed Gaussian surface depends upon.
What is Electric flux?
Electric flux refers to the measure of the electric field that is equivalent to the flow of liquid in a pipe in a fixed direction with a velocity of v.
For example, assume the water flows in a fixed direction with v velocity in a pipe. If we in the pipe, consider the cross-sectional plane and take a small unit area from the plane which is given by ds, the volumetric liquid flow crossing the plane taken normal to the flow will be taken as vds.
Then, when the plane is not normal to the liquid flow but is inclined on an angle Ɵ, the total liquid volume crossing the plane will be taken as vds cosƟ per unit of time.
Here, the projected area from the plane perpendicular to the liquid flow is dscosƟ.
The electric field is parallel to the liquid flow.
The electric field line’s magnitude E can be observed passing through the plan with area A which is kept at Ɵ angle with the direction of the electric field.
In case there is no net charge given in the closed surface then each line of field that is directed in the given surface will continue through the inside. The negative flux is the same as the positive flux’s magnitude. Hence, the sum or total of the electric flux effectively comes down to zero.
In case a net charge is embodied in a closed surface, then the sum of electric flux through the plane will be analogous to the encircled charge, that is, positive in case of positive and negative in case of negative.
The formula for electric flux
Electric flux is defined as the sum of electric field lines that pass through a given area in a period. As we see in the example, if the plane taken is normal with the electric field flow, then the sum of electric flux is taken as ϕ = EA.
Where the same plane can be observed to be tilted at Ɵ angle, the area projected is given as AcosƟ and the sum of flux through the surface area is taken as Φ = EAcosΘ.
Where E refers to the magnitude of the electric field
A refers to the area of the surface from which the sum of electric flux is to be considered.
And the plane and the axis analogous to the direction of the electric field flow makes the angle Ɵ.
What is the Dimensional formula of electric flux?
The electric flux’s dimensional formula is given by, [M1 L3 T-3 I-1]
Where,
I refer to the Current
L refers to the Length
T refers to the Time
M refers to the Mass.
Types of Flux
There are different types of flux such as Mass flux, Momentum Flux, Electric flux, Magnetic Flux, Heat Flux, Luminous Flux, Radiant Flux, and Acoustic Flux.
- Magnetic Flux – It refers to the number of times the lines of the magnetic field pass through a closed plane.
- Electric Flux – It refers to the number of times the electric field lines pass through a closed plane.
- Luminous Flux – It refers to the line of visually transmitted radiated sensible energy per second.
- Energy or Radiant Flux – It refers to the radiated transmitted energy per second coming from any of the energy sources.
- Heat Flux – It refers to the transfer of heat energy via an elementary plane per second.
- Mass Flux – It is defined as the rate at which the mass flows per unit surface.
- Momentum Flux – It refers to the momentum flow across unit area given per second.
- Acoustic Flux – It refers to the sound energy flow via the unit surface given per second.
What is the SI unit of electric flux?
Voltmeters (V m) is the SI base unit of electric flux that is the same as the newton-meters squared per coulomb (N m2 C-1). Other than that, kg·m3·s-3·A-1 is the base unit of electric flux.
What does the electric flux through a closed Gaussian surface depend upon?
The electric flux through a closed Gaussian surface depends upon the net charge encircled in the surface. The electric flux through a closed Gaussian surface does not depend on the size or the shape of the surface.
According to Gauss’s law, the net electric flux that diverges normally from a closed surface equals to 1/ε0 times the net charge enclosed by the surface. It means that the electric flux through a closed Gaussian surface depends upon the net charge encircled in the surface. The electric flux through a closed Gaussian surface does not depend on the size or the shape of the surface.
Hence, the electric flux depends on the net charge inside the closed gaussian surface.
Conclusion
The word “Flux” originates from the word “Fluxus” which is a Latin Word, meaning flow. The word was first used under the name “fluxion”, by Isaac Newton in differential calculus.
In the world of physics, Flux refers to the effects that travel or pass through the substance or the plane. It can be thought of as imaginary lines passing through the physical quantity it can travel. It refers to the concept in vector calculus and applied mathematics with various applications in physics.
In the area of vector calculus, it refers to a scalar quantity, which is defined as the plane integral of the analogous component of a vector area over a plane.
In the area of transport phenomena, it refers to a vector quantity, which describes the direction and magnitude of the flow of the substance or property.
