Electric field lines

Definition

Electric field lines are visual representations of the electric field created by charges. These lines indicate the direction and strength of the field in space.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Electric field lines originate from positive charges and terminate on negative charges.
2. The density of electric field lines represents the strength of the electric field; closer lines indicate a stronger field.
3. Electric field lines never intersect each other.
4. In a uniform electric field, the electric field lines are parallel and equally spaced.
5. Maxwell's equations predict that changing electric fields produce magnetic fields, which can be visualized using electric field lines.

Review Questions

• What is indicated by the density of electric field lines?
• Why do electric field lines never intersect?
• How do Maxwell's equations relate to the concept of electric field lines?

Related terms

Maxwell's Equations:

A set of four equations that describe how electric and magnetic fields propagate and interact with matter.

Electromagnetic Waves:

Waves composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields, propagating through space at the speed of light.

Gauss's Law:

\(\oint \mathbf{E} \cdot d\mathbf{A} = \frac{Q_{\text{enc}}}{\epsilon_0}\), one of Maxwell’s equations, relates the electric flux through a closed surface to the charge enclosed by that surface.