Electric Field Lines: Charge Movement and Conductor/Insulator Interactions

In summary, if charges are free to move, the electric field lines will straighten and shorten as the charges move towards each other. However, this is only applicable within conductors and not within insulators. If two charges are connected by a field line and one is free to move, it will accelerate towards the other charge along the field line.
  • #1
KodN919
1. The problem statement
"If charges are free to move, the field lines will straighten and shorten as the charges move together"

2. Questions in relation to statement
Are there any cases in which charges aren't free to move between two charged objects such as between conductors or insulators?
And how do charges move 'together' in electric field lines?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
KodN919 said:
1. The problem statement
"If charges are free to move, the field lines will straighten and shorten as the charges move together"

2. Questions in relation to statement
Are there any cases in which charges aren't free to move between two charged objects such as between conductors or insulators?
And how do charges move 'together' in electric field lines?
By definition, charges are free to move within a conductor but not within an insulator.
You can regard an air gap as an insulator.
If two charges are (can be thought of as being) connected by a field line and one is free to move in that direction it will accelerate along the field line towards the other.
 
  • Like
Likes KodN919
  • #3
haruspex said:
By definition, charges are free to move within a conductor but not within an insulator.
You can regard an air gap as an insulator.
If two charges are (can be thought of as being) connected by a field line and one is free to move in that direction it will accelerate along the field line towards the other.
Thank you very much
 

FAQ: Electric Field Lines: Charge Movement and Conductor/Insulator Interactions

1. What are electric field lines and how do they represent charge movement?

Electric field lines are a visual representation of the electric field surrounding a charged object. They indicate the direction and strength of the electric field at different points in space. The lines originate from positive charges and terminate on negative charges. The closer the lines are together, the stronger the electric field is at that point. The direction of the field lines shows the direction of the electric force on a positive test charge placed in the field.

2. How do electric field lines interact with conductors and insulators?

Electric field lines have different interactions with conductors and insulators. Conductors are materials that allow electric charges to move freely, so the electric field lines are able to pass through them. In contrast, insulators do not allow charges to move easily, so the electric field lines are unable to pass through them. Instead, they accumulate on the surface of the insulator.

3. Do electric field lines have a specific shape or pattern?

Electric field lines do not have a specific shape or pattern. They can vary depending on the configuration of the charges and the surrounding environment. However, they typically follow certain rules, such as originating from positive charges and terminating on negative charges, and never crossing or intersecting each other.

4. How can electric field lines be used to calculate the strength of an electric field?

Electric field lines can be used to calculate the strength of an electric field by counting the number of lines passing through a given area. The closer the lines are together, the stronger the electric field is in that area. Additionally, the density of the lines can also be used to determine the strength of the electric field, with a higher density indicating a stronger field.

5. Are electric field lines the same as magnetic field lines?

No, electric field lines are not the same as magnetic field lines. While both represent the direction and strength of a field, electric field lines are associated with electric charges and their interactions, while magnetic field lines are associated with moving charges or currents. Electric field lines are also continuous and do not form closed loops, while magnetic field lines often form closed loops around a current-carrying wire.

Similar threads

Direction of electric field vector on the surface of charged conductor
Replies
9
Views
718
Why are the electrostatic field lines normal to a charged conductor?
Replies
10
Views
602
Discontinuity in an Electric line of force
Replies
12
Views
2K
Find the electric field of a long line charge at a radial distance
Replies
1
Views
1K
Induced charge on a conducting sphere sliced by a plane
Replies
2
Views
598
Electric field external to Conducting Hollow Sphere with charge inside
Replies
23
Views
1K
Charge on inner/outer surfaces of two large parallel conducting plates
Replies
11
Views
1K
Electric Field Inside Cylindrical Capacitor
Replies
2
Views
2K
Electrical conductivity has an effect while charging by conduction?
Replies
7
Views
1K
Making sense of sequence of ideas in MIT OCW's 8.02 notes on Faraday
Replies
1
Views
719

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top