An electric dipole of dipole moment 20 x 10−6 Cm and dipole length 2 mm is enclosed by a closed surface. The net electric flux linked with the surface would be-
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → zero
By Gauss’s law, the net flux through a closed surface depends only on the net charge enclosed. A dipole consists of charges +q and −q, so the enclosed charge is zero whatever the dipole moment or length.
\( \displaystyle \phi = \frac{q_{\mathrm{enc}}}{\varepsilon_0} = \frac{(+q) + (-q)}{\varepsilon_0} = 0 \)
NCERT (2026-27):
Gauss’s Law – “… We state Gauss’s law without proof:
\( \displaystyle \text{Electric flux through a closed surface } S = q/\varepsilon_0 \qquad (1.31) \)
q = total charge enclosed by S. The law implies that the total electric flux through a closed surface is zero if no charge is enclosed by the surface.”
Electric Dipole – “… The total charge of the electric dipole is obviously zero. This does not mean that the field of the electric dipole is zero.”