Math Problem Statement

A cube has sides of length L=10.0cm, the electric field is uniform, has a magnitude E=4.00×103N/C, and is parallel to the xy-plane at an angle of 36.9∘ measured from the +x−axis toward the +y−axis. What is the electric flux through the left-side cube face?

Solution

The electric flux (ΦE\Phi_E) through a surface is given by the equation:

ΦE=EA=EAcosθ\Phi_E = \vec{E} \cdot \vec{A} = EA \cos \theta

Where:

  • E\vec{E} is the electric field vector,
  • A\vec{A} is the area vector, which is perpendicular to the surface,
  • AA is the area of the surface,
  • θ\theta is the angle between the electric field and the area vector.

Step 1: Understanding the problem

  • Cube side length, (L = 10.0 , \text{cm} = 0.1 , \text{m}:** The cube has six faces. We are interested in the flux through the left-side face, which is the face perpendicular to the xx-axis (where the area vector points in the negative xx-direction).

  • Electric field E=4.00×103N/CE = 4.00 \times 10^3 \, \text{N/C}: The electric field is in the xyxy-plane, at an angle of 36.936.9^\circ from the +x+x-axis toward the +y+y-axis.

Step 2: Area of the cube's left face

The area of the cube's face is: A=L2=(0.1m)2=0.01m2A = L^2 = (0.1 \, \text{m})^2 = 0.01 \, \text{m}^2

Step 3: Direction of the electric field and the angle to the area vector

The electric field makes an angle of 36.936.9^\circ with the +x+x-axis in the xyxy-plane. The left face of the cube has an area vector that points in the x-x-direction, so the angle between the electric field and the normal to the left face is: θ=18036.9=143.1\theta = 180^\circ - 36.9^\circ = 143.1^\circ

Step 4: Electric flux through the left-side cube face

Now, we can calculate the electric flux through the left face using the formula for flux:

ΦE=EAcosθ\Phi_E = EA \cos \theta

Substitute the known values:

ΦE=(4.00×103N/C)(0.01m2)cos(143.1)\Phi_E = (4.00 \times 10^3 \, \text{N/C})(0.01 \, \text{m}^2) \cos(143.1^\circ)

We need the cosine of 143.1143.1^\circ:

cos(143.1)0.8\cos(143.1^\circ) \approx -0.8

Therefore:

ΦE=(4.00×103)(0.01)(0.8)\Phi_E = (4.00 \times 10^3)(0.01)(-0.8)

ΦE=32Nm2/C\Phi_E = -32 \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{C}

Final Answer:

The electric flux through the left-side cube face is 32Nm2/C\boxed{-32 \, \text{N} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{C}}.

Would you like more details or have any further questions?


Here are 5 related questions for further exploration:

  1. What would be the electric flux through the right-side face of the cube?
  2. How does the electric flux change if the angle of the electric field changes?
  3. What is the total electric flux through all faces of the cube?
  4. How would the flux change if the cube's side length doubled?
  5. How is the concept of electric flux used in Gauss's Law?

Tip: Always pay attention to the angle between the electric field and the normal to the surface when calculating flux—it can drastically affect the result.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Electric Flux
Vector Dot Product
Geometry

Formulas

Φ_E = E * A * cos(θ)

Theorems

Gauss's Law

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 (Physics) / Early University Level