Which law states that the electric field multiplied by the area equals the charge enclosed?

Disable ads (and more) with a premium pass for a one time $4.99 payment

Prepare for the NCEES FE Electrical and Computer Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with detailed hints and explanations to enhance your understanding. Ace your exam!

The correct answer is Gauss's law, which is a fundamental principle in electromagnetism. It states that the electric flux through a closed surface is directly proportional to the charge enclosed within that surface. Mathematically, this can be expressed as the product of the electric field and the surface area of the closed surface being equal to the charge enclosed divided by the permittivity of free space. This law is significant because it allows for the calculation of electric fields for symmetrical charge distributions, making it a powerful tool in electrostatics.

Understanding Gauss's law is crucial for analyzing electric fields in various configurations, whether spherical, cylindrical, or planar. It provides insight into how charges create electric fields and helps engineers and physicists solve problems related to capacitors, electric field distributions, and much more.

In contrast, the Biot-Savart law describes the magnetic field produced by an electric current, Ohm's law relates voltage, current, and resistance in a conductor, and Faraday's law deals with electromagnetic induction, explaining how a changing magnetic field can induce an electromotive force in a circuit. Each of these laws plays an important role in their respective domains, but none of them apply to the relationship between electric fields and enclosed charges described by

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy