^Gaussian surface

Gaussian surface

1. To find electric field due to a charge configuration using Gauss’s law we draw an imaginary closed surface around that charged distribution.
2. Gaussian surfaces are normal to electric lines of & symmetric to the charge enclosed such that electric field at every point of the Gaussian surface due to that charged distribution is same.
3. Gaussian surfaces are spherical for point charges or spherical distribution of charges & cylindrical for linear and planar distribution of charge.
4. Only those charges which lie inside the Gaussian surface are considered & that located outside have no contribution in the flux.
5. Discrete charges on the surface of the -Gaussian surface are not considered (as electric field at the location of a discrete charge is not defined) but continuous charges can be considered.