(a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field line cannot have sudden breaks.

0 votes
34 views
asked Jan 2, 2018 in Physics by sforrest072 (157,439 points) 63 448 1282
edited Jan 2, 2018 by sforrest072

(a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field line cannot have sudden breaks. Why not?
(b) Explain why two field lines never cross each other at any point?

1 Answer

0 votes
answered Jan 2, 2018 by mdsamim (213,225 points) 5 10 22
selected Jan 2, 2018 by sforrest072
 
Best answer

(a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve because a charge experiences a continuous force when traced in an electrostatic field. The field line cannot have sudden breaks because the charge moves continuously and does not jump from one point to the other.
(b) If two field lines cross each other at a point, then electric field intensity will show two directions at that point. This is not possible. Hence, two field lines never cross each other.

Welcome to Sarthaks eConnect: A unique platform where students can interact with teachers/experts/students to get solutions to their queries. Students (upto class 10+2) preparing for All Government Exams, CBSE Board Exam, ICSE Board Exam, State Board Exam, JEE (Mains+Advance) and NEET can ask questions from any subject and get quick answers by subject teachers/ experts/mentors/students.

One Thought Forever

“There is a close connection between getting up in the world and getting up in the morning.“
– Anon
~~~*****~~~

...