Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Physics

Chapter

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Question:

In a region of space, the electric field is in the x-direction and proportional to x, i.e. $\vec{E}=E_o x \hat{i}$. Consider an imaginary cubical volume of edge a, with its edges parallel to the axes of coordinates. The charge inside this volume is

Options:

zero

$\varepsilon_0 E_0 a^3$

$\frac{1}{\varepsilon_0} E_0 a^3$

$\frac{1}{16} \varepsilon_0 E_0 a^2$

Correct Answer:

$\varepsilon_0 E_0 a^3$

Explanation:

The field at the face ABCD $=E_0 x_0 \hat{i}$

∴ flux over the face ABCD = $-\left(E_0 x_0\right) a^2$

The negative sign arises as the field is directed into the cube. The field at the face EFGH $=E_0\left(x_0+a\right) \hat{i}$

∴ flux over the face EFGH $=E_0\left(x_0+a\right) a^2$

The flux over the other four faces is zero as the field is parallel to the surfaces.

∴ total flux over the cube = $E_0 a^3=\frac{1}{\varepsilon_0} q$

where q is the total charge inside the cube.

∴ $q=\varepsilon_0 E_0 a^3$

∴ (b)