Rankers Physics
Topic: Electrostatics
Subtopic: Electric Flux

A point charge + Q is positioned at the center of the base of a square pyramid as shown. The flux through one of the four identical upper faces of the pyramid is   Image related to
\[ \frac{Q}{16\varepsilon_{0}}\]
\[ \frac{Q}{4\varepsilon_{0}}\]
\[ \frac{Q}{8\varepsilon_{0}}\]
None of these

Solution:

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Flux through the Entire Pyramid:
The total charge enclosed by the pyramid is \(+Q\), and the total flux through the entire closed surface of the pyramid is given by Gauss's law:
\[
\Phi_{\text{total}} = \frac{Q}{\varepsilon_0}.
\]

2. Flux Distribution:
The pyramid has a square base and four triangular faces. However, **the charge \(+Q\) is located at the center of the base, not at the geometric center of the pyramid.** This means the flux through the base is not zero and contributes to the total flux.

3. Flux Through the Base:
Due to symmetry, half of the total flux passes through the square base:
\[
\Phi_{\text{base}} = \frac{\Phi_{\text{total}}}{2} = \frac{Q}{2\varepsilon_0}.
\]

4. Flux Through the Four Triangular Faces:
The remaining half of the total flux passes through the four triangular faces combined:
\[
\Phi_{\text{triangular (total)}} = \frac{\Phi_{\text{total}}}{2} = \frac{Q}{2\varepsilon_0}.
\]

5. Flux Through One Triangular Face:
Since the four triangular faces are identical, the flux is equally distributed among them:
\[
\Phi_{\text{face}} = \frac{\Phi_{\text{triangular (total)}}}{4} = \frac{\frac{Q}{2\varepsilon_0}}{4} = \frac{Q}{8\varepsilon_0}.
\]

Final Answer:
The flux through one triangular face is:
\[
{\frac{Q}{8\varepsilon_0}}.
\]

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