Understanding Electric Field Lines: The Truth About Infinity Explained

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of electric field lines, particularly their behavior as they extend towards infinity. Participants explore definitions of infinity, the movement of charges in an electric field, and the foundational principles of classical physics and Quantum Field Theory.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that electric field lines extend from a positive charge towards infinity based on measurements in classical physics, while Quantum Field Theory seeks to explain the underlying mechanisms.
  • Another participant questions the definition of infinity in this context and seeks clarification on why positive charges move in the direction of the electric field while negative charges move in the opposite direction.
  • A further contribution suggests that infinity can be understood as the limit of space increasing indefinitely, using the example of a sphere's radius approaching infinity.
  • It is noted that the electric field exerts a force on a test charge according to the Lorentz force equation, which accounts for the opposite signs of positive and negative charges affecting their movement direction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition of infinity and the implications of electric field behavior, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a consensus.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on the definitions and implications of infinity, as well as unresolved questions regarding the movement of charges in relation to the electric field.

Misr
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Hello
The electric field lines comes out from a positive charge towards infinity (towards the equal negative charge)..
Oops ! confused again bout infinity
Why is this true?
Thanks
 
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It is true because it is measured. All of classical physics takes the electric field as a given based on measurements. Quantum Field Theory attempts to explain the mechanism.
 
It is not that sophisticated its a simple question
What is the definition of infinity in this case??
also why does the +ve charge move in the direction of electric field while -ve one moves opposite to the direction of electric field?
 
Misr said:
It is not that sophisticated its a simple question
What is the definition of infinity in this case??
also why does the +ve charge move in the direction of electric field while -ve one moves opposite to the direction of electric field?

*shrug* Infinity is the limit of the volume of space increasing to infinite volume. You can do this in a variety of ways. Take a sphere and take the limit of the sphere's radius to infinity for example. For this problem it shouldn't matter how you do it as the limiting cases should be the same.

The electric field is a field that applies a force on a test charge, specifically it is qE (E is a vector here) as given by the Lorentz force. Since positive and negative charges have opposite signs, the direction of the force is opposite.
 

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