Electric Field Due to a Line Charge

Consider an infinitely long straight line charge with linear charge density , which is in units of Coulombs per meter.

We construct a cylindrical Gaussian surface of radius r and length L. (We choose a cylinder because it mimics the symmetry of the wire.) The electric flux about this Gaussian surface is

Therefore,

Now, try some interactive applets.


Copyright 1998-1999 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. All Rights Reserved.