Question
A closed surface S is constructed around a conducting wire connected to a battery and a switch in the following figure. As the switch is closed, the free electrons in the wire start moving along the wire. In any time interval, the number of electrons entering the closed surface S is equal to the number of electrons leaving it. On closing the switch, the flux of the electric field through the closed surface
(a) is increased
(b) is decreased
(c) remains unchanged
(d) remains zero
Solution
(c) remains unchanged
(d) remains zero
Initially, there is no charge in the closed surface. As the wire is neutral, the flux initially is zero. Now, if we connect the battery and a current flows through it, the flux remains zero, as the number of electrons entering the surface is equal to number of electrons leaving. That is, net charge enclosed is zero and so is the flux.
