Then the surface is divided into small elements of area d and the integral of the flux is taken for the entire surface.Īfter understanding the concept of Electric Flux, we can say that in a closed surface, if there are no charges inside its volume, then electric flux through the surface is zero. This formula is well and good if the surface has a deterministic area. Therefore, the units of Electric Flux are Newton meter 2 / Coulomb (Nm 2/C). Where, E is Electric Field with units Newton. the electric field and the area of the surface, the equation of flux can be written as follows: In general, if θ is the angle between the electric field vector and surface vector of the surface with area A, then number of field lines passing through this surface is proportional to cos (θ).Ĭonsidering the other two factors i.e. If the surface is parallel to the field, then the number of field lines passing through the surface is zero.īut if the surface is placed at an orientation angle of θ, then the number of line passing will be proportional to this angle. When the surface is perpendicular to the electric field, maximum number of lines are intercepted by the surface. To understand this more, let us consider a surface, which is inserted through electric field in three different orientations. The first two points are pretty obvious but the interesting point here is the orientation of the surface. Orientation of the surface with respect to the lines of force.Then exploring further, the lines of force passing through a surface of a given area is dependent on three factors: The concept of flux is always associated with something (electric field, in this case) going through a given area. Electric Flux is defined as the total number of lines of electric force in any particular electric field. Electric Flux is the total number of tubes of flux in an electric field i.e. This bunch or small closed area is called a Tube of Flux. According to his studies, electric field is composed of small bunches of electric lines of force, which are fixed in number. The field lines or flux lines can be used to pictorially represent the distribution of Electric Flux around a charge.īased on the experiments performed by Michael Faraday in late 1830’s, Electric Field around a charge can be imagined as presence of lines of force around it.
The Electric Field, imagined to be present around a charge, can be represented in terms of a quantity known as Electric Flux. Normally, the flux lines enter or leave a charged surface.