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After studying electric fields and electric lines of force, we need to look at electric flux. The meaning of the word ‘flux’ is flow. Therefore, in simple words, electric flux refers to the measure of the flow of an electric field through any particular or any given area. The flux requires an electric field to co-exist.
It depicts the strength of an electric field at any distance from the charge causing the field.
The flux of an electric field is an important concept in electromagnetism and is essential for understanding how electric fields interact with charged particles. Flux of electric field is a measure of the total electric field line passing through a given surface. It is calculated by multiplying the electric field by the surface area.
The SI unit for the flux of an electric field is the voltmeter (Vm).
Flux of electric field refers to the measure of the flow of an electric field through any particular or any given area. It is proportional to the number of electric field lines (or electric lines of force) passing through a perpendicular surface. It is represented by ϕ or phi.
It is a scalar quantity as it is the dot product of electric field vectors and area vectors.
SI Unit of the Flux of an Electric Field:
The flux of an electric field is the scalar product of an electric field vector and an area vector.
Flux of electric field formula =E.A cos θ
(where E = N/C and A= m2)
=> Nm2/C
The SI base unit of the flux of electric field = kg.m3.s-3.A-1
Flux of an Electric Field Formula
Φ = E.S = EA cos θ
Where,
E= Electric field
A= Area of the surface
θ = Angle between the electric field lines and the area of the surface
Φ = Flux of electric field
Dimensional Formula of Flux of Electric Field
An electric field is equal to force charge (F/q)
The charge is equal to current × time ( I× T)
Flux of electric field = field × area
So, the dimensional formula of the Flux of electric field is shown as:
M1L3T-3A-1
Where
M stands for mass
L stands for length
T stands for time
A stands for ampere
Factors Affecting Flux of Electric Field
Several factors affect how much electrical flux is transferred through a surface.
Some of the most important factors are the following:
The orientation of the surface relative to the electric field: The angle between the electric field lines and area vector plays a crucial role in calculating flux.
The electric field strength: The stronger the electric field, the more flux will pass through the surface.
The distance of the surface from the source of the electric field: The closer to an electric charge, the more flux will pass through it.
The surface area of the surface.
Applications of Flux of Electric Field
It is used in electric motors.
It is used in mechanical electric generators to produce voltage.
Capacitors used in machines, power circuit boards(PCBs), etc., also work on the concept of flux of electric field.
It is also used in photocopying machines.
It is used in cleaning applications like air purifiers.
Gauss’s Law
Gauss’s law states that the net electric flux through an area is proportional to the total electric charge within that area.
Carl Friedrich Gauss gave it in 1835. It is considered an important part of the equations of Maxwell.
It can be applied to any closed surface.
It can be used for the derivation of Coulomb’s law, and it can be derived from Coulomb’s law.
It can be used for the calculation of electric fields.
It can be used to know and understand electricity.
The formula of Gauss’s law:
Q = Φ ε0
where Q refers to total electric charge, Φ refers to total flux, and ε0 refers to electric constant.
Conclusion
From the above sections, we have understood the concept of flux of electric field, its formula, SI unit, and the unit of flux of electric field.
The flux of an electric field refers to the measure of the flow of an electric field through any particular or any given area. It is a very useful concept that we use in our daily lives. The basic household items that we use regularly work on the concept of flux of electric field. It is present in electric motors, generators, switches, lights, etc. It is used with Gauss’s law. Also, it plays a crucial role in Maxwell’s equations. It can be represented by phi. Several factors affect the flux of an electric field like the electric field strength, the distance of the surface from the electric source, the area of the surface, etc.
