Gauss's law states that the total electric flux through a closed (Gaussian) surface is proportional to the total charge enclosed: \(\oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{A} = \frac{Q_{\text{enc}}}{\varepsilon_0}\). The surface must be a closed surface — it cannot be a broken or open surface. The distribution of charges (close or sparse) does not affect the applicability of the law.