Chapter 24: Gauss’ Law

Study Plan

We can exploit symmetry to facilitate the calculation of electric fields, which will permit us to answer the following questions:

  • What is the electric field due to a spherically symmetric distribution of charge? (Examples 4 and 5, pages 764-766)
  • What is the electric field near a flat sheet of charge, or near a flat slab of conductor? (Examples 9 and 11, pages 770 and 775)
  • What is the electric field inside a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium, and what does this tell us about the distribution of charge on the conductor? (Section 24.5, page 774, and Example 12, page 776)

Organize

  1. Prepare for lecture by reading the assigned sections from Chapter 24 in your textbook or ebook. This will provide an organizing framework for concepts introduced in lecture, and help you take better notes.
  2. Take the checkup quiz and work the Checkup questions in your textbook to assess your understanding of basic concepts. Take note of any topics you need to review further.
  3. Review the Examples from your textbook. These progress from simple to complex, and provide concrete illustrations of the concepts discussed.
  4. Review the Problem Solving Techniques box on Gauss’ Law for Charge Distributions with Symmetry from your textbook.

Learn

  1. Re-read Chapter 24 and review your lecture notes.
  2. Access the Online Concept Tutorials given for this chapter. Tutorials use animation and interactive exercises to help develop your understanding of fundamental topics.
    Electric Flux
    Sections: 24.1
    Gauss’ Law
    Sections: 24.1, 24.3
  3. Use the FlashCards to test your memory for new key terms and equations.
  4. Work the end of chapter Problems and Review Problems assigned by your instructor. If your instructor has assigned SmartWork online homework, login from the right navigation pane.

Connect

  1. Physics in the News offers additional real-world physics applications, and a daily dose of science-based news.

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