Question

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(i) gauss' law applies to any closed surface, regardless of shape or size.
(ii) we cannot distinguish between positive and negative flux depending on the direction of the electric flux lines.
(iii) the net electric flux leaving a surface will always be zero if there is a charge bound inside of it.
(iv) none of these

Answer 1

In summary, the correct statement is (i) gauss' law applies to any closed surface, regardless of shape or size.

Step-by-step explanation:

In addressing which of the following statements are correct:

1. Gauss's law applies to any closed surface, regardless of shape or size.
2. We cannot distinguish between positive and negative flux depending on the direction of the electric flux lines.
3. The net electric flux leaving a surface will always be zero if there is a charge bound inside of it.
4. None of these.

Statement (i) is correct; Gauss's law indeed applies to any closed surface. Statement (ii) is incorrect because we can distinguish between positive and negative electric flux based on the direction of the electric field lines relative to the chosen surface, with outward flux being considered positive and inward flux negative.

Statement (iii) is incorrect as the net electric flux leaving a closed surface is proportional to the enclosed charge, which could be nonzero. Therefore, the correct statement is (i).