A2L Item 215

• Description: Indicate the truth or falsity of a statement regarding the implication of flux for the electric field on a surface.
• Goal: Relate flux and electric field
• Source: 283-405 If phi = 0, is E=0?
• Keywords: Electric Field, Electromagnetism, Flux

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The question for students:

True or False: If the electric flux = 0 over some closed Gaussian surface, then this means that the electric field = 0 on that surface.

1. True
2. False

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Commentary for teachers:

Answer

(2) A good followup question is; Even though the electric field is not zero everywhere, can it be zero somewhere on the Gaussian surface? If so, draw a charge configuration for which this is true?

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