Consider the charge configuration of a spherical Gaussian surface as shown in the figure. When calculating the flux of the electric field over the spherical surface, the electric field will be due to:

Correct answer: C. Zero

  • A. q2
  • B. Only the positive charges
  • C. Zero
  • D. +q1 and -q1

Explanation

The charge q2 is outside the Gaussian surface.External charges do not contribute to net flux through the closed surface.They may produce a field inside, but the total flux only depends on charges inside, which is zero.The flux through the spherical Gaussian surface is zero.The electric field contributions is due to +q1 ,−q1-, and the external q2 does not matter individually - only the net enclosed charge counts, which is zero.

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