Equipotential lines and electric field lines

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the relationship between equipotential lines and electric field lines for an arbitrary dipole, specifically using the potential equation V dip(⃗r) = Constant ⃗r · p⃗ /(r^3) and the electric field equation E dip = −∇⃗ V dip. The participant successfully derived the electric field from the potential and confirmed that electric field lines are perpendicular to equipotential lines. They clarified their misunderstanding regarding the mapping of the electric field function into ℝ2.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric potential and electric field concepts
  • Familiarity with vector calculus, specifically gradients
  • Knowledge of dipole moments in electrostatics
  • Ability to visualize and map functions in two-dimensional space
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical derivation of electric field lines from potential functions
  • Explore the properties of dipole fields in electrostatics
  • Learn about visualizing vector fields in ℝ2 using software tools
  • Investigate the implications of equipotential surfaces in electric field analysis
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism, as well as anyone interested in the mathematical representation of electric fields and potentials.

ktb
Messages
45
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


I am given the equation for the potential of an arbitrary dipole. I need to draw the electric field lines for this dipole in a plane, and also show that these lines are perpendicular to the equipotential lines. I have already derived the equation for the electric field using the gradient of the potential and mapped out the equipotential lines.


Homework Equations


V d i p ( ⃗r ) = Constant ⃗r ·p⃗ /(r^3)
E⃗ d i p = − ∇⃗ V d i p
= (Constant) 3( ⃗r · p⃗) ⃗r /(r^5) - p⃗/(r^3)
Take p⃗ to equal a unit vector for an orthonormal basis. Such as the unit vector for x in the x, y, z coordinate system.


The Attempt at a Solution


I know that the gradient of V is always perpendicular to V, so intuitively this makes complete sense. However, I do not know how to show that a scaler quantity (V) is perpendicular to the vector equation I derived for E. I am also unsure how to map such a strange function for E into ℝ2 although obviously I know what it looks like.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Figured it out, bad misunderstanding by me about El. field lines. Sorry for the unnecessary post.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K