Volume charge density

Volume charge density is a scalar field quantity that gives the density of charges at a specific region in space.

It has dimensions of [charge][length]^-3.

Electromagnetism

In electromagnetism, volume charge density is the source of the electric field. The nature of the electric field E produced by a given volume charge density ρ in a volume Ω bounded by a surface ∂Ω is given by Gauss' law, here given in integral and differential forms:

Gauss' law

$\iint_{\partial \Omega} \vec{E}\cdot\mathrm{d}\vec{S} = \frac{1}{\varepsilon_0} \iiint_\Omega \rho \,\mathrm{d}V$

$\nabla \cdot \vec{E} = \frac{\rho}{\varepsilon_0}$

Related Quantities

When the charge density is confined to a surface, line, or point, surface charge density, linear charge density and charge can be used.

When integrated over a volume, the total charge enclosed in that volume is obtained.