Table of Contents
Where does the electric field line start and end?
Lines begin and end only at charges (beginning at + charges, ending at – charges) or at Infinity. Lines are closer together where the field is stronger. Larger charges have more field lines beginning or ending on them. Electric Field lines never cross (since E must point in a definite direction unless it is zero).
Why do field lines start and end of charged conductors?
The electric field lines either begin or end upon a charge and in the case of a conductor, the charge exists solely upon its outer surface. The lines extend from this surface outward, not inward. This of course presumes that our conductor does not surround a region of space where there was another charge.
Why is electric field not negative?
An electric field can never be negative. An electric field is a force experienced by the charge divided by the magnitude of the charge. So even if the charge is negative in nature, its magnitude will also be positive and therefore, an electric field can never be negative.
Can electric field be negative?
Why electric field lines are perpendicular to conductor?
The mutual repulsion of excess positive charges on a spherical conductor distributes them uniformly on its surface. The resulting electric field is perpendicular to the surface and zero inside.
What is an electric field line?
Electric field. A line tangent to a field line indicates the direction of the electric field at that point. Where the field lines are close together, the electric field is stronger than where they are farther apart. The magnitude of the electric field around an electric charge, considered as source of the electric field,…
What direction do electric field lines go?
Electric field lines point in the direction in which a positive test charge would respond to the electrostatic force; that is, away from positive charges and towards negative charges.
What is the definition of electric field?
Electric field is defined as the electric force per unit charge. The direction of the field is taken to be the direction of the force it would exert on a positive test charge.