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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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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.
Can two electric field lines be drawn at a point?
No, two electric field lines cannot originate from the same point because the electric field direction at that point would be ambiguous. Electric field lines always point in the direction of the electric field at a given point and represent the direction a positive test charge would move in that field.
How is the direction of an electric field indicate with electrical fields lines?
The direction of an electric field is indicated by the direction in which the electric field lines point. Electric field lines point away from positive charges and towards negative charges. The closer the field lines are together, the stronger the electric field in that region.
How closely packed the electric field lines are indicates the strength of the electric field?
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Why electric field lines cannot have sudden brakes in between them?
Electric field lines represent the direction of the electric field at any point in space. If there were sudden breaks in the field lines, it would imply sudden changes in the electric field strength, which is not physically possible. The electric field must vary continuously and smoothly in space.
How do you determine the direction of the lines on an electric field diagram?
The direction of the lines on an electric field diagram indicates the direction a positive test charge would move if placed in the field. The lines point away from positive charges and towards negative charges. The density of the lines represents the strength of the electric field at a particular point.
Do electric field lines cross?
No, electric field lines do not cross each other. If they did, it would imply that there are multiple directions for the electric field at the same point, which is not possible. The electric field lines always repel or attract each other, but they never cross.
What do electric field lines point to?
Electric field lines point towards the direction that a positive test charge placed in the field would move. They represent the direction and magnitude of the force that a positive charge would experience in that field.
Can electric field lines intersect in free space?
No, because the electric field would not be defined at the intersection point.
What direction do the lines of force point in an electric field with multiple charges?
In an electric field with multiple charges, the lines of force point away from positive charges and towards negative charges. The lines of force follow the direction of the electric field, which is a vector sum of the individual electric fields produced by each charge.
When Electric field lines point in the opposite direction changes would move if they were in the field?
If electric field lines point in opposite directions, charges placed in the field would experience a force in the direction of the stronger field. Charges will move in response to this net force, accelerating in the direction of the stronger field lines.
How are equipotentials lines oriented with respect to electric field lines?
Equipotential lines are always perpendicular to electric field lines. This is because equipotential lines represent points in a field with the same electric potential, so moving along an equipotential line does not change potential. Thus, the electric field lines, which point in the direction of the greatest change in potential, intersect equipotential lines at right angles.
What are three facts about electric field lines?
Electric field lines are used to visualize the direction and strength of an electric field. They always point away from positively charged objects and towards negatively charged objects. The density of field lines indicates the strength of the electric field, with closer lines representing a stronger field and vice versa.
