In a difficult problem, net flux is zero and a dipole is present. What is the safest order of analysis?
Gauss’s law gives the net flux through a closed surface as Φ = Q_enclosed/ε₀. Thus the first step is to identify the algebraic total charge enclosed by the surface. Zero net flux does not imply zero electric field at every point: a dipole has zero total charge but produces nonzero local fields, and external charges can also affect local field without changing enclosed charge. Hence A is the safe procedure; B and C make unjustified assumptions, and D miscounts external charge.