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The electric field lines are directed away from a positive charge and towards a negative charge so that at any point , the tangent to a field line gives the direction of electric field at that point.

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Q: Where do electric field lines point?
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How is the strength of an electric field indicated with electric field lines?

Given a positive charge the electric field lines are drawn starting from the charge and pointing radially outward, ending in principle at infinity, according to the electric field strength being proportional to the inverse square of distance. From the definition of electric field we know that the modulous of the electric field is greater for smaller distances from the field generating charge. Since the electric field lines point radially outward we consider the density of lines an indication of the strength of the electirc field. If we immagine to trace a circle around the electric field generating charge, of radius slightly greater than the radius of the object which holds the charge and therefore generates the electric field, such circle will be crossed by a number 'n' of lines. The density of lines crossing the cirle will then be the circumference of the circle divided by the number 'n' of lines. For a larger circle we will have a greater circumference, but same number of lines 'n', and therefore a smaller density of lines crossing it, which idicates a lower intesity of electric field for a greater distance from the charge.


Can two electric lines of force intersect each other?

No. If they did, that would mean that at the point of intersection, the force field points in two different directions simultaneously!


What would happen if field lines crossed?

Then, at some point, the field would go into two directions simultaneously, which doesn't make much sense. The magnetic field lines form continuous closed loops.The tangent to the field line at a point represent the direction of the net magnetic field B,at that point.The magnetic field lines do not intersect,if they did, the direction of the magnetic field would not be unique at the point of intersection.


Is electric field strength scalar or vector?

The strength of the electric field is a scalar quantity. But it's the magnitude of thecomplete electric field vector.At any point in space, the electric field vector is the strength of the force, and thedirection in which it points, that would be felt by a tiny positive charge located there.


What are equipotential lines?

A uniform electric field exists between parallel plates of equal but opposite charges.

Related questions

Can two electric field lines be drawn at a point?

No, if two electric field lines are drawn at a point, this would meant two directions of electric field at that point which is impossible.


Why electric field lines cannot have sudden brakes in between them?

electric field lines represents electric field at that point but if it has break somewhere then it signifies the absence of electric field and it is not possible.....


Can electric field lines intersect in free space?

No, because the electric field would not be defined at the intersection point.


How closely packed the electric field lines are indicates the strength of the electric field?

true


What do lines represent in an electirc field diagram?

The lines in each diagram represent an electric field. The stronger the field, the close together the lines are.


Electric field lines point in the opposite direction charges would move if they were in the field?

positive


Why electric field lines are continuous?

Electric field lines are continuos because they move from +ve to -ve it means they move a particular point from A to B if they move from A to B and then to A then this path way is called discontinuous


What do lines represent in an electric field diagram?

The lines in each diagram represent an electric field. The stronger the field, the close together the lines are.


What are three facts about electric field lines?

1. Electric field lines of force originate from the positive charge and terminate at the negative charge. 2. Electric field lines of force can never intersect each other. 3. Electric field lines of force are not present inside the conductor, it is because electric field inside the conductor is always zero. 4. Electric field lines of force are always perpendicular to the surface of conductor. 5. Curved electric field lines are always non-uniform in nature.


How is the strength of an electric field indicated with electric field lines?

Given a positive charge the electric field lines are drawn starting from the charge and pointing radially outward, ending in principle at infinity, according to the electric field strength being proportional to the inverse square of distance. From the definition of electric field we know that the modulous of the electric field is greater for smaller distances from the field generating charge. Since the electric field lines point radially outward we consider the density of lines an indication of the strength of the electirc field. If we immagine to trace a circle around the electric field generating charge, of radius slightly greater than the radius of the object which holds the charge and therefore generates the electric field, such circle will be crossed by a number 'n' of lines. The density of lines crossing the cirle will then be the circumference of the circle divided by the number 'n' of lines. For a larger circle we will have a greater circumference, but same number of lines 'n', and therefore a smaller density of lines crossing it, which idicates a lower intesity of electric field for a greater distance from the charge.


Does electric field and electric field lines connected?

Yes. An electric field is represented by electric field lines. Electric field lines are a visual representation of the strength and direction of an electric field in a region of space. In the vicinity of any charge, there is an electric field and the strength of the electric field is proportional to the force that a test charge would experience if placed at the point. (That is a matter of definition of electric field.) Mother nature produces electric fields, but humans can not see electric fields. Humans invented the idea of field lines to create a mental picture of the field. The two most common ways are to draw lines in space or to draw a collection of arrows in space. In the case of arrows, they are vector representations of the strength and direction of the electric field at the point in space where each arrow is drawn. Representing an electric field (and this works with other fields also) with lines is a sophisticated and time honored tradition. The density of lines in any region of space is proportional to the strength (magnitude) of the field in that region of space. The direction of the field is along the direction of the line at each position on each of the lines. In such a graphical representation the field direction goes out from positive charge and in towards negative charge and the visualization usually has some indication of the sign of charge or direction of the field to give the information about direction of the vector field represented by the field lines. There is a small caveat. It is not only charge that can produce electric fields. An electric field can be produced by a changing magnetic field. This is technologically important (since electric motors work on this principle) and scientifically fascinating, requiring a somewhat more sophisticated aspect of electromagnetic theory, but ultimately the electric field or electric flux can be visualized with lines (or arrows) in a manner exactly as is done for stationary charges.


Why 2 magnetic fields cannot cross each other?

the tangent at any point on an electric field line gives the direction of the field at that point . so if field lines intersect then electric field at will have more than1 direction which is impossible