Unit of Electric Flux

SI unit of Electric Flux is volt-meter (V⋅m). Electric flux is a concept in electromagnetism that describes the flow of an electric field through a given area. It is a measure of the amount of electric field that penetrates a surface or the number of electric field lines passes through that surface.

In this article, we will learn about the basics of electric flux, its SI unit, and the conversion between various units of electric flux.

Electric Flux Definition

Electric flux is the measure of electric field lines passing through a given closed surface. It is a scalar quantity, representing the total number of electric field lines passing through a given surface.

Formula of Electric Flux

Electric flux depends on the strength of the electric field lines, the area of the surfaces, and the orientation between the surface area and the electric field lines. The formula to calculate electric flux is given as:

Φ = E • A

OR

Φ = E A cos θ

Where,

• Φ denotes the electric flux,
• E denotes the electric field strength,
• A denotes the area of the closed surface, and
• θ denotes the angle between the electric field lines and the area vector

Unit of Electric Flux

The unit of electric flux can be derived by putting the units of different values in the formula for calculating electric flux.

Φ = E × A × cos θ

Therefore,

Unit of (Φ) = Unit of (E) × Unit of (A) × Unit of cos θ

OR Unit of (Φ) = (V/m) × (m²) × 1

OR Unit of (Φ) = V-m.

Thus, the unit of electric flux is V-m (Volt-meter).

The unit of electric flux is volts times meters (V⋅m) which is equivalent to newton meters squared per coulomb (Nm²/C).

Definition of 1 Volt-Meter

One volt-meter (V⋅m) corresponds to the amount of electric flux passing through a unit area (1 square meter) perpendicular to an electric field with a magnitude of 1 volt per meter.

Dimensional Formula of Electric Flux

Dimensional formula for the electric flux is [M¹L³T⁻³A^-1]

Where:

• M represents Mass,
• L represents Length and,
• T represents Time

SI Unit of Electric Flux

SI unit of electric flux is the volt-meter (V⋅m) or, equivalently, the newton-meter squared per coulomb (N⋅m²/C). This unit represents the amount of electric field passing through a given area.

Electric flux is a measure of the electric field through a surface, and it quantifies how much electric field penetrates a surface. It is a fundamental concept in electromagnetism and plays a crucial role in understanding phenomena like Gauss Law and electric field behavior around charged objects.

SI unit of electric flux is the volt-meter (V⋅m) or newton-meter squared per coulomb (N⋅m²/C).

CGS Unit of Electric Flux

CGS Unit of Electric Flux is dyne cm²/franklin.

Unit of Electric Flux in Other Systems

The unit of electric flux in other systems is described below:

Unit System	Unit of Electric Flux
SI (International System of Units)	Volt-meter (V⋅m)
CGS (Centimeter-Gram-Second) System	dyne cm²/franklin
MKS (Meter-Kilogram-Second) System	Weber(Wb) or kg·m3·s-3·A-1

Solved Example on Electric Flux

Example 1: Consider a uniform electric field E = 3 × 10³ î N/C. What is the flux of this field through a square of 10 cm on a side whose plane is parallel to the yz plane?

Solution:

The flux of an electric field is given by,

ϕ = EA ⇒ ϕ = 3 × 10³ × 0.1 × 0.1 ⇒ ϕ = 30 Nm²/C

Therefore, the flux of the field through a square of 10 cm on a side whose plane is parallel to the yz plane is 30 Nm²/C

Example 2: Calculate the electric flux on a plane of area 1 m² on which an electric field of 2 V/m crosses with an angle of 60 degrees.

Solution:

We know that,

E = 2 V/m

OR A = 1m²

OR θ = 60°

Flux= 2 × 1 × cos(60)

Flux = 1 volt-meter

Example 3: Given an electric field strength is 20 N/C and the net flux passing through a closed area of square is 10 volt-meter. Find out the side of the square

Solution

Given that, E = 20N/C and ϕ = 10 v-m

Now we know that

ϕ = EA

A = ϕ/E

area of the square = 10/20 = 0.5m²

Now for the length of the side we know that side*side=area then

side = (0.5)^1/2

side = 0.7071m

Conclusion

In conclusion, electric flux is a fundamental concept in electrodynamics that plays a crucial role in understanding electric fields and their interactions with surfaces. It quantifies the number of electric field lines passing through a given surface and provides valuable insights into the strength and distribution of electric fields.

Throughout this article, we have explored the definition of electric flux, its relationship with the electric field, and its units in different systems of measurement.

FAQs on Unit of Electric Flux

Explain Electric Flux.

Electric flux is a measure of the total number of electric field lines passing through a given area. It is the measure of the strength of an electric field passing through a surface.

 What is the Unit of Electric Flux?

The SI unit of electric flux is the Volt-meter (V⋅m).

What is the Dimensional Formula for Electric Flux?

The dimensional formula for electric flux is [ML³T^-3A^-1].

Can Electric Flux be Negative?

Yes, electric flux can be negative. It depends on the orientation of the surface with respect to the electric field.

Why is electric flux important in physics and engineering?

It provides valuable information about the strength and distribution of electric fields, aiding in the design and analysis of electrical systems, circuits, and devices.