Number of fields line originating from 1 C charge

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the number of electric field lines originating from a 1 Coulomb charge, with conflicting interpretations between infinity and 1/ε (epsilon). The latter is supported by a textbook reference and is grounded in Gauss's Law, which relates charge (Q) and permittivity (ε). The conversation highlights the conceptual challenge of quantifying field lines, suggesting that they may be represented in a simplified manner for illustrative purposes, rather than as an exact count.

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I'm not sure of the answer to your specific question. Using Gauss's Law, if you consider Q and ε, their quotient has units of Coulomb-metres per Farad, or equivalently volt-meters. This doesn't sound like what I'd be expecting for a "count" or number of anything, really. And I suppose its proponents would get around the problem of fractions of lines by dividing "lines" into "microlines" or something?

In the video, by saying the number of lines you may choose to draw is initially arbitrary, he means that on diagrams you'll usually draw only a representative number of lines, sufficient to illustrate the situation.
 
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