Why are Field Lines Always Perpendicular to a Conducting Line?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that electric field lines are always perpendicular to a conducting line due to the behavior of electrons within the conductor. When an electric field is applied, any component of the field that is parallel to the conductor causes the electrons to rearrange themselves. This rearrangement continues until there is no net force acting on the electrons, resulting in the field lines being perpendicular to the surface of the conductor.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and their properties
  • Basic knowledge of conductors and electron behavior
  • Familiarity with electrostatics concepts
  • Knowledge of field line representation in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of electrostatics and electric fields
  • Explore the behavior of conductors in electric fields
  • Learn about the concept of electric field lines and their significance
  • Investigate the effects of charge distribution on conductors
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the behavior of electric fields in relation to conductors.

geyikrali
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Why the field lines are always perpendicular to the conducting line?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Think about the structure of a conductor. An electric field line that is not perpendicular to a conducting plane will have a component parallel to it. This electric field then acts on the electrons in the conductor and they will re-arrange themselves so that there is no longer any force acting on them (i.e. the field lines are perpendicular to the conductor)
 
thank you so much
 

Similar threads

Relationship between magnetic field lines and magnetic field
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Curving of gravitational field lines
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Line integral of a vector field (Polar coordinate)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
A problem in graphing electric field lines
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Spectral lines in the emission spectrum for an electron at n= 3
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Electric field of a neutral conductor just at the surface
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Line of charge and conducting sphere (method of images)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Discontinuity of normal component of E field crossing boundary
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Magnetic field in and around a conductive hollow cylinder
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Line element in cylindrical coordinates
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K