Question

Five charges +q, +5q, –2q, +3q and –4q are situated as shown in the figure. The electric flux due to this configuration through the surface S is

• A. $\frac{5q}{\epsilon_0}$
• B. $\frac{4q}{\epsilon_0}$
• C. $\frac{3q}{\epsilon_0}$
• D. $\frac{q}{\epsilon_0}$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$\frac{4q}{\epsilon_0}$

Answer 2

According to Gauss’s law, the electric flux Φ through a closed surface is given by:

$Φ = \frac{q_{in}}{\epsilon_0}$,

where q in is the total charge enclosed by the surface.

In this problem, the charges enclosed by the surface are $q_{in} = q + (-2q) + 5q = 4q$.

Thus, the electric flux is:

$Φ = \frac{4q}{\epsilon_0}$.

The correct answer is Option (2).