Understand Field Lines: Positive & Negative Atoms

AI Thread Summary
Field lines for positive atoms point outward, while those for negative atoms point inward, reflecting the convention that field lines indicate the direction of force on a positive charge. This convention is arbitrary, as the terms "positive" and "negative" are labels assigned to different charge types. The direction of the field lines is consistent with vector mathematics, ensuring clarity in understanding electric fields. The distinction helps in visualizing how charges interact within an electric field. Understanding this convention is crucial for studying electrostatics and field interactions.
Physics news on Phys.org
It's the agreed upon convention. After all, "positive" and "negative" are just names we have attached to the two charge types. It could've gone either way. Having decided to make one "positive" and the other "negative", the field line directions follow in order to make them agree with the resulting vector math.
 
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanged mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanged mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Resistors and equipotential lines?
Replies
6
Views
3K
How is longitudinal wave spread
Replies
6
Views
2K
Balancing Physics of Farmer Carry Handles
Replies
2
Views
2K
Music Fusion of Western musical instruments
Replies
11
Views
3K
I Shape of exclusion plots of WIMP
Replies
1
Views
1K
Can Connecting Positive Plate of C1 to Negative Plate of C2 Cause an Explosion?
Replies
10
Views
1K
Relationship between ventricular volume and pressure
Replies
2
Views
2K
Electric field and positive and a negative charge
Replies
1
Views
2K
I Plot Linear Fit w/ Error Bounds: y=ax+b
Replies
3
Views
2K
Why stress is defined on 3 surface
Replies
4
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top