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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.
