How Do Induced Electric Fields Relate to Gauss' and Lenz's Laws?

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SUMMARY

This discussion clarifies the relationship between induced electric fields and Gauss' and Lenz's Laws. In electrostatics, the electric field (E) is conservative, represented by ∇ × E = 0, indicating sources from electrical charges as per Gauss' Law. However, when the magnetic field (B) changes over time, the equation modifies to ∇ × E = -∂B/∂t, leading to scenarios where there are no net charges and ∇ ⋅ E = 0. The induced electric field lines do not have defined starting or ending points and are oriented opposite to the changing magnetic field, consistent with Lenz's Law, which states that electromotive force (ε) is equal to -∂φ/∂t.

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  • Understanding of electrostatics and electric fields
  • Familiarity with Gauss' Law and its applications
  • Knowledge of Lenz's Law and electromagnetic induction
  • Basic grasp of vector calculus, specifically curl and divergence
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lighhhtworks
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In electrostatics, × E = 0 so E that is a conservative field and there must be sources of E from which E flows. We know that this sources are the electrical charges given by Gauss' Law.

But when B changes in time, × E = - ∂ B / ∂t. Now the Gauss' Law no longer applies and if there are not net charges anywhere, there are no sources of E, so ∇ ⋅ E = 0.

So how are the lines of an induced E? Are they like B lines in magnetostatics? They just "turn" around something and they don't have any start or end?
And if they are, since Lenz's Law says that ε = - ∂φ / ∂t, are the lines of this E induced exactly the opposite of the B that induces it?

Please let me know if I'm not making my self clear, my english is not that good.
Thanks in advance!
 
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lighhhtworks said:
In electrostatics, × E = 0 so E that is a conservative field and there must be sources of E from which E flows. We know that this sources are the electrical charges given by Gauss' Law.

But when B changes in time, × E = - ∂ B / ∂t. Now the Gauss' Law no longer applies and if there are not net charges anywhere, there are no sources of E, so ∇ ⋅ E = 0.

So how are the lines of an induced E? Are they like B lines in magnetostatics? They just "turn" around something and they don't have any start or end?
And if they are, since Lenz's Law says that ε = - ∂φ / ∂t, are the lines of this E induced exactly the opposite of the B that induces it?

Yes, without charges, but with changing magnetic field, the electric field lines have neither start nor end. But Lenz's Law states that the electromotive force ε is exactly opposite to the change of B that induces it. The time-dependent B is related to the curl of the electric field: curl E = -∂B / ∂t, or in integral form: ## \oint Eds = -\partial φ / \partial t ## (the line integral of the tangential component along a closed curve is equal to the negative of the flux across the enclosed area).
 

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