3D Electric Flux Through a Cylinder
Interactive 3D Simulation
This simulation demonstrates the electric flux through a cylinder in a uniform electric field that changes direction at x=0.
Use two fingers to rotate, pinch to zoom, and swipe to pan the 3D view.
Flux through left face:
0.00 N·m²/C
Flux through right face:
0.00 N·m²/C
Flux through side:
0.00 N·m²/C
Total outward flux:
0.00 N·m²/C
Net charge inside cylinder:
0.00 C
Explanation
The example shows a cylinder placed in an electric field that is:
- E = 200î N/C for x > 0 (positive x direction)
- E = -200î N/C for x < 0 (negative x direction)
The cylinder has:
- Length = 20 cm (from x = -10 cm to x = +10 cm)
- Radius = 5 cm
Key Concepts:
Electric Flux (Φ): The electric flux through a surface is defined as the dot product of the electric field and the area vector: Φ = E·ΔS = EΔS cosθ
Gauss's Law: The total electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the total charge enclosed divided by ε₀: Φ = qenc/ε₀
