Question Detail
Question
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about Gauss's law?
I. The net charge enclosed is the algebraic sum of all the enclosed positive and negative charges.
II. The net charge enclosed can be positive, negative or zero.
III. The net charge enclosed cannot be determined.
IV. The net charge enclosed is in the direction of the applied field.
I. The net charge enclosed is the algebraic sum of all the enclosed positive and negative charges.
II. The net charge enclosed can be positive, negative or zero.
III. The net charge enclosed cannot be determined.
IV. The net charge enclosed is in the direction of the applied field.
Correct Answer
Option C is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
Let's analyze each statement regarding Gauss's Law, which relates the electric flux through a closed surface to the net electric charge enclosed by that surface:I. The net charge enclosed is the algebraic sum of all the enclosed positive and negative charges. This is TRUE. The net charge is found by summing positive charges and subtracting negative charges within the Gaussian surface.II. The net charge enclosed can be positive, negative or zero. This is TRUE. Depending on the distribution of positive and negative charges, their algebraic sum can indeed be positive, negative, or zero.III. The net charge enclosed cannot be determined. This is FALSE. Gauss's Law explicitly allows for the determination of the net enclosed charge if the flux through a closed surface is known (or vice versa).IV. The net charge enclosed is in the direction of the applied field. This is FALSE. Charge is a scalar quantity and does not have a direction. The electric field has a direction, but not the charge itself.
Hint
Recall the definition of charge and the mathematical statement of Gauss's Law.