A cylindrical Gaussian surface encloses a long straight wire carrying a current.

A cylindrical Gaussian surface encloses a long straight wire carrying a current. What is the electric field at a point outside the cylinder?

A cylindrical Gaussian surface encloses a long straight wire carrying a current. What is the electric field at a point outside the cylinder?

Step 1: Understand that we have a long straight wire carrying an electric current.
Step 2: Recognize that the wire creates an electric field around it.
Step 3: Identify that we are looking at a cylindrical Gaussian surface that surrounds the wire.
Step 4: Note that the electric field is strongest near the wire and decreases as you move away from it.
Step 5: Realize that the electric field at a point outside the cylinder depends on the distance from the wire.
Step 6: Conclude that the electric field outside the cylindrical surface is directly proportional to the distance from the wire.

Gauss's Law – The relationship between electric field and charge distribution, particularly for symmetric charge configurations.
Electric Field of a Long Straight Wire – The electric field produced by a long straight wire is inversely proportional to the distance from the wire.