- #1
maNoFchangE
- 116
- 4
Suppose I have electric field of the form ##\mathbf{E} = 3x\mathbf{i} + 3y\mathbf{j}##. Calculating the charge density gives me ##\rho = \epsilon_0 \nabla\cdot\mathbf{E} = 6\epsilon_0##.
But now if I turn one of the components of the field in the opposite direction, for example ##\mathbf{E} = 3x\mathbf{i} - 3y\mathbf{j}##, then the charge density vanishes. I am confused with this because the only difference between the first and the second fields is just the direction, geometrically they are similar. Where do I go wrong?
But now if I turn one of the components of the field in the opposite direction, for example ##\mathbf{E} = 3x\mathbf{i} - 3y\mathbf{j}##, then the charge density vanishes. I am confused with this because the only difference between the first and the second fields is just the direction, geometrically they are similar. Where do I go wrong?