Impossible electric fields examples?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of impossible electric fields, specifically those that violate the principle that the line integral around a closed path is zero. Examples include circular electric fields and more complex 3D configurations. It is clarified that while stationary charges produce conservative electric fields, accelerating charges generate non-conservative fields. The use of computer simulations, such as those available at Falstad's website, is suggested for visualizing these electric fields.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric field concepts and properties
  • Familiarity with line integrals in electromagnetism
  • Knowledge of stationary and accelerating charges
  • Basic skills in using computer simulations for physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the principles of non-conservative electric fields
  • Learn about the implications of accelerating charges on electric fields
  • Investigate advanced computer simulations for visualizing electromagnetic fields
  • Study the mathematical foundations of line integrals in electromagnetism
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators in electromagnetism, and anyone interested in visualizing complex electric and magnetic field interactions.

mishima
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I was trying to think of more impossible electric fields than my book has. I understand it is anything that breaks the rule that the path integral is zero. One example is a circular field. I was trying to picture some more complicated 3d examples.

Are all magnetic fields an impossible electric field? I just mean visually, in appearance.
 
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You can have any kind of electric field so long as they obey the boundary relations.
"Path integral" (The correct term is line integral, a path integral is something we use in quantum mechanics) being zero around a loop is only true for an electric field generated by stationary charges, in general accelerating charges will generate non conservative electric fields.
 
Thanks, and yes I was trying to say something like "closed path line integral" I think.

So, I could use a computer simulation that generates magnetic fields and moving charges to "see" some impossible electric fields?

Such as the 3d magnetostatics one here: http://www.falstad.com/mathphysics.html ?
 

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