The sphere and ellipsoid in FIGURE Q24.9 surround equal charges.

Four students are discussing the situation.Student 1: The fluxes through A and B are equal because the average radius is the same.Student 2: I agree that the fluxes are equal, but that??s because they enclose equal charges.Student 3: The electric field is not perpendicular to the surface for B, and that makes the flux through B less than the flux through A.Student 4: I don??t think that Gauss??s law even applies to a situation like B, so we can??t compare the fluxes through A and B.

Which of these students, if any, do you agree with? Explain.

2r A FIGURE Q24.9 -le