Uniformly distributed electric field lines

AI Thread Summary
A positive charge placed at the center of a cube generates electric field lines that radiate outward. While the lines originate uniformly from the charge, they are not parallel, which complicates the definition of "uniformly distributed" across the cube's sides. The concept of uniform distribution typically refers to equal spacing and directionality of field lines, which is not the case here. Therefore, the intersections of the field lines with a side of the box are not uniformly distributed. Clarifying the definition of uniform distribution in the context of electric fields is essential for understanding this concept.
rwrem
Messages
4
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A positive charge is placed in the center of a cube. Are the intersections of the field lines with a side of the box uniformly distributed across that side. Explain.

===

I have missed some lectures due to getting the swine flu (ugh) and the material is not exactly clear on this, but all problems that describe a uniform electric field are shown with parallel lines all coming from one side. I could see the answer being either yes, it's uniform, because all the lines are coming from a point charge in the center of the box, but the lines are not parallel. So, what is the definition of "uniformly distributed"?

Just missing a fundamental definition...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Anyone?
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top