Electric Field Lines Last Updated : 03 May, 2024 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report Electric field lines are a representation used to visualize the electric field surrounding charged objects. They provide a way to understand the direction and strength of the electric field at different points in space. It helps analyze electric fields in various situations, such as around point charges, between parallel plates, or within complex arrangements of charges. In this article, we will learn in detail about electric field lines, their properties, and the rules to draw electric field lines for different charges. What is Electric Field Line?The concept of an electric field line is used to define an electric field near charged particles. They were first used by Michael Faraday to define an electric field due to an electron and a proton. Electric field lines are imaginary lines that are used to visualize electric field around a charge in real life. They are also called electric lines of force. The tangent drawn at any point on electric field lines shows the direction of electric field at that particular point. They are regular lines without any break and are curved in nature. They are curved in nature and not linearly straight. In case of the positive charge the direction of electric field lines is radially outwards and in case of negative charge the direction of electric field line is radially inwards. Also, the density of the electric field lines shows the strength of the electric field i.e. the more electric field lines in an area the more the strength of the electric field there. Properties of Electric Field LinesThe electric field lines have the following properties: Electric field lines never intersect each other.Electric field lines are always perpendicular to the surface of the charge.For a single charge, the field lines go from the surface of the charge to up to infinity.The magnitude of the electric field and the number of field lines, both are proportional to each other.In a uniform electric field, field lines are evenly spaced and parallel to each other. In a non-uniform electric field, the field lines are closer together where the field is stronger and farther apart where it is weaker.Electric field lines originate from positive charges and terminate on negative charges.Rules for Drawing Electric Field LinesThe rules used for drawing electric field lines are discussed below: For positive charge, electric field lines always start at their surface and go up to infinity, for negative charge it starts from infinity and ends at its surface.The more field lines in an area the more the strength of the electric field.Electric field lines never intersect each other.Electric field and electric field lines are always tangent at the point where they pass through.Electric Field Lines for Different ChargesUsing the above rules we can draw electric field lines for different configuration of electric charges Electric Field Lines for Individual ChargesIn case of individual positive charge, the direction of electric field line is radially outwards and in case of individual negative charge the direction of the electric field line is radially inwards. Electric Field Lines for Two Equal and Unlike ChargeFor two equal and unlike charge the electric field will originate from positive charge and enter into negative charge forming a close loop Electric Field Lines for Two Equal and Like ChargeIn case of two equal and like charge both will exert repulsive force on each other and the arrangement of electric field lines will be either side of each charge. Related Articles Electric Potential EnergyElectric Field due to a Point Charge Electric CurrentSolved Examples on Electric Field LinesExample 1: At any time, a force of 10 N is operating on the charge of 18 μC. Determine the intensity of the electric field at that location. Solution: Given: F = 10 N, q = 18 μC E = F/qE = 10 / 18 × 10-6E = 5.5 × 105 N/C Example 2: Calculate the strength of the electric field at a distance of 12 cm with a voltage of 68 V. Solution: Given:V = 68 V, r = 12 cm E = V/r E = 68/12E = 5.66 V/cm Example 3: A force of 12 N is acting on the charge of 27 μC. Find Electric Field. Solution: Given: F = 12 N, q = 27 μC E = F/q E = 12 / 27 × 10-6E = 4.44 × 105 N/C Example 4: The electric field is 6.4 N/C at a distance of 6 cm then find the voltage. Solution: Given: E = 6.4 N/C, r = 6 cm V = E × r V = 6.4 × 6V = 38.4 V Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article What is Electric Flux? S swapnilkalyani96 Follow Improve Article Tags : School Learning Physics Class 12 Physics-MAQ Electrostatics Physics-Formulas Physics-Class-12 Physics-Concepts +4 More Similar Reads CBSE Class 12 Physics Notes 2023-24 CBSE Class 12 Physics Notes are an essential part of the study material for any student wanting to pursue a career in engineering or a related field. Physics is the subject that helps us understand our surroundings using simple and complex concepts combined. 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Bar 9 min read Gauss's LawGauss's law is defined as the total flux out of the closed surface is equal to the flux enclosed by the surface divided by the permittivity. The Gauss Law, which analyses electric charge, a surface, and the issue of electric flux, is analyzed. Let us learn more about the law and how it functions so 15+ min read Magnetization and Magnetic IntensityWe've all had fun with magnets as kids. Some of us are now even playing with them! What makes them magnetic though? Why aren't there magnetic fields in all materials and substances? Have you ever given it any thought? The subjects of magnetization and magnetic intensity will be covered in this chapt 6 min read CHAPTER 6 - ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTIONExperiments of Faraday and HenryFor a long time, electricity and magnetism were thought to be separate and unrelated phenomena. Experiments on electric current by Oersted, Ampere and a few others in the early decades of the nineteenth century established the fact that electricity and magnetism are inter-related. They discovered th 5 min read Magnetic FluxMagnetic Flux is defined as the surface integral of the normal component of the Magnetic Field(B) propagating through that surface. It is indicated by φ or φB. Its SI unit is Weber(Wb). The study of Magnetic Flux is done in Electromagnetism which is a branch of physics that deals with the relation b 6 min read Faraday’s Laws of Electromagnetic InductionFaraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction is the basic law of electromagnetism that is used to explain the working of various equipment that includes an electric motor, electric generator, etc. Faraday's law was given by an English scientist Michael Faraday in 1831. 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Circuits in everyday life consist of resistances, capacitors, and inductance. Capacitors are the devices that accumula 6 min read Series LCR CircuitsIn contrast to direct current (DC), which travels solely in one direction, Alternating Current (AC) is an electric current that occasionally reverses direction and alters its magnitude constantly over time. Alternating current is the type of electricity that is delivered to companies and homes, and 8 min read Power Factor in AC circuitThe power factor is determined by the cosine of the phase angle between voltage and current. In AC circuits, the phase angle between voltage and current is aligned, or in other words, zero. But, practically there exists some phase difference between voltage and current. The value of the power factor 8 min read TransformerA transformer is the simplest device that is used to transfer electrical energy from one alternating-current circuit to another circuit or multiple circuits, through the process of electromagnetic induction. A transformer works on the principle of electromagnetic induction to step up or step down th 15+ min read CHAPTER 8 - ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVESDisplacement CurrentDisplacement current is the current that is produced by the rate of change of the electric displacement field. It differs from the normal current that is produced by the motion of the electric charge. Displacement current is the quantity explained in Maxwell's Equation. It is measured in Ampere. Dis 12 min read Electromagnetic WavesA wave is a propagating dynamic disturbance (change from equilibrium) of one or more quantities that is commonly described by a wave equation in physics, mathematics, and related subjects. 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