How do we draw electric field lines for a negative charge in a vacuum?

In summary, when drawing electric field lines around a negative charge in a vacuum, the lines should be drawn inward. This is because the field lines are produced by the positive charge on the negative charge. However, when creating a free body diagram for a body, the forces produced by the body itself are not included, only the external forces applied on it. This applies to the situation of drawing electric field lines as well.
  • #1
ehabmozart
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Suppose we have two charges in vacuum. They are positive and negative. If we want to draw the electric field lines around the negative charge. Do we draw the lines inward (negative) or outward (field lines produced by the +ve on -ve). I remember that free body diagram on a bidy does not include forces produced by the body itself but the forces applied on it.. What about in this situation? . Thanks to whoever responds!
 
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  • #2
ehabmozart said:
Suppose we have two charges in vacuum. They are positive and negative. If we want to draw the electric field lines around the negative charge. Do we draw the lines inward (negative) or outward (field lines produced by the +ve on -ve). I remember that free body diagram on a bidy does not include forces produced by the body itself but the forces applied on it.. What about in this situation? . Thanks to whoever responds!

See :

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/estatics/u8l4c.cfm
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/physics-drawing-electric-field-lines.html
 

1. What are Darwin Electric field lines?

Darwin Electric field lines refer to the visual representation of the electric field around a charged object. They were first introduced by physicist Charles Darwin in 1839 and are used to describe the direction and strength of the electric field at different points in space around the charged object.

2. How are Darwin Electric field lines drawn?

Darwin Electric field lines are drawn by placing a series of points around the charged object and drawing lines that connect these points. The direction of the lines indicates the direction of the electric field at that point, while the density of the lines represents the strength of the electric field.

3. What do the patterns of Darwin Electric field lines tell us?

The patterns of Darwin Electric field lines can tell us about the strength and direction of the electric field at different points in space around the charged object. The closer the lines are to each other, the stronger the electric field, while the direction of the lines shows the direction of the electric field.

4. How are Darwin Electric field lines related to electric potential?

Darwin Electric field lines are closely related to electric potential. The electric potential at a point is the amount of work needed to move a unit charge from infinity to that point. The direction of the electric field lines is always perpendicular to the lines of constant electric potential.

5. What are some examples of real-life applications of Darwin Electric field lines?

Darwin Electric field lines have many real-life applications, including in electronic devices such as capacitors and semiconductors, in medical imaging techniques like electrocardiograms and electroencephalograms, and in lightning rods to protect buildings from lightning strikes. They are also used in the study of atmospheric electricity and in the design of electrical circuits.

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