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Perhaps we should start by suggesting that there really are no "lines" in an electric field (or in a magnetic field, for that matter). The "lines of force" are a convention that allows us to visualize the field. But if there were lines, they would not cross because each one is a line of force in the field, and force is affected by other force in a way that prevents the lines from crossing. The force of one line will "push off" the force of another line, and the two will "avoid" each other.
Though the lines may not be real, the force of the field is real. This "arms" each line of force with "energy" to "situate" itself relative to other lines of force. The lines of force all "conspire" or "work together" to give a "net effect" to the field; the field is formed as a direct result of the "sum" of the "individual act" of each line. But they do not "cross" each other to do this. Which is pretty amazing since individual lines don't exist.
We've arrived back where we started, or so it might seem. But the lines of force, though they may not exist, are part of a real field of force about the electrified object. They interact as forces (because they are each an individual expression of the field) and will not be able to interfere with one another. As a parting shot, consider that the lines of force might follow the basic tendency of things in nature to assume their lowest energy level, and will see "crossing" as requiring extra energy. They (the lines of force) simply want to "snuggle up" along side each other to create the field.
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Steveansw2. The answer you seek, but UNTRUE is that they cannot cross each other. But in mountainous areas such as a fiord landscape, there are overhangs, and contour lines (should) cross.
They will usually just be drawn on top of each other, for the photo interpretation software cannot determine that from its plan view derived from aerial Photography.
Contour cross bodies of water - consider a wide river, or a glacier; both are water and both have a gradient that is indicated by contour lines.
Flat bodies of water, such as lakes and seas have no gradient, and hence no contour line will cross them. They are of equal elevation at all points.
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What is the definition of hachured contour lines?
Hachured contour lines are contour lines with ticks pointing downslope that indicate a depression on a topographic map.
What do the numbers on index contour lines indicate?
The numbers of contour lines indicate altitude or elevation along that line.
Why do contour lines point uphill when they cross a stream?
Contour lines point uphill when they cross a stream due to the topographic representation of elevation. As water flows downhill, the contour lines indicate changes in elevation; when they intersect a stream, they form a V shape that points upstream. This orientation shows that the higher land lies in the direction of the point of the "V," indicating that the elevation increases as you move away from the stream. Thus, the V shape helps visualize the relationship between the stream and the surrounding terrain.
Contour lines that are widely space indicate what?
If the contour lines on a topographic map have wide spaces in between and are further apart then the terrain is relatively flat. If the contour lines are close together then the terrain forms a steep slope.
What do elevation maps use to show elevation?
Maps can show elevation with contour lines
