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A point electric charge Q is placed at a point P. A closed spherical surface is placed near the point P. The total electric flux passing through the surface of the sphere is

Asked in GSEB Board July 2016 · Gauss's law and enclosed charge

Answer: (4) zero

Step-by-step solution

Idea: Gauss's law, ∮⃗E· d⃗A=(qᵢₙ)/(ε₀), counts only the charge inside the closed surface.

The sphere is placed near P, not around it, so the charge Q at P lies outside the sphere: qᵢₙ=0.

Every field line from Q that enters the sphere on the near side leaves it again on the far side, so the inward and outward flux cancel.

Total flux =0/(ε₀)= zero.

Why the other options are wrong

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