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Introduction:
After studying electric fields and electric lines of force, we need to look at electric flux. The meaning of the word ‘flux’ is flow. So, electric flux, in simple words, is the flow of electric effect in an enclosed area. It can be defined as the number of electric field lines passing through the surface. An electric field is required by the electric flux to co-exist.
It depicts the strength of an electric field at any distance from the charge causing the field.
Electric flux is an important concept in electromagnetism and is essential for understanding how electric fields interact with charged particles. Electric flux is a measure of the total electric field current passing through a given surface. It is calculated by multiplying the electric field by the surface area.
The SI unit for electric flux is the volt meter (V m).
Definition:
Electric flux 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 Electric flux:
Electric flux is the scalar product of an electric field vector and an area vector.
Electric flux formula =E.A cos x
(where E=F/q and A= m^2)
=> Nm2/C
The SI base unit of electric flux = kg.m3.s-3.A-1
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.
- It was given by Carl Friedrich Gauss 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)
Electric flux formula:
Φ = E.S = ES cosx
Where,
E= Electric field
S= area of the surface
E= magnitude of the electric field
x = angle between the electric field lines and the perpendicular to the area of the surface.
Φ = electric flux
Dimensional formula of electric flux:
An electric field is equal to force charge
And Force is equal to m × a
The charge is equal to current × time ( I× T)
Electric flux = field × area
So, the dimensional formula of the electric flux 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 electric flux:
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, as 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.
- Distance of nearby materials from nearby objects that can block the electric flux.
- The surface area of the surface.
Applications of Electric Flux:
- 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 electric flux
- It is also used in photocopying machines
- It is used in cleaning applications like air purifiers.
Difference between electric flux and magnetic flux:
Electrostatics and magnetism are different phenomena that can be unified only by employing Maxwell’s equation.
Electric flux is a part of electrostatic, while magnetic flux is a part of magnetism.
The electric flux measure of how much a field is entering or exiting while
Magnetic flux is defined as the magnetic field lines passing through an enclosed area. The number of magnetic lines of force passing through a unit area of any substance is known as the density of magnetic flux.
Conclusion:
In the above article, we have cleared concepts of Electric flux, electric flux formula, si unit of electric flux, and unit of electric flux. Electric flux is that part of the theory of electromagnetism, which means the flow of electric field lines passing through any surface. It is a very useful concept. We use it in our daily lives, the basic household items that we use regularly work on the concept of electric flux. 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. There are several factors affecting the electric flux like the electric field strength, the distance of the surface from the electric source, the area of the surface, etc.
