Electric Field Lines And Flux

Understand the graphical representation of electric field lines and the mathematical definition of electric flux.

8 lessons

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Concept

Properties of Electric Field Lines

Explains Faraday's field lines and their specific rules.

Mapping the Electric Field

How do we visualize the invisible electrical environment around charges? Faraday introduced the concept of electric field lines (initially called lines of force) as an intuitive way to map these fields.

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IMAGE

Field Line Configurations

Visual of field lines for point charge and dipole.

clean scientific diagram, pastel color palette, precise labeling, white background. A single positive point charge (+q) in the center with straight electric field lines pointing radially outward in all directions.

Click to zoom

Field lines radiate outward from a positive charge to infinity. Field lines point inward, ending on a negative charge.

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Field lines of an electric dipole show mutual repulsion between two similar positive charges. Field lines of an electric dipole show mutual attraction, starting at the positive charge and ending at the negative.

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Quiz

Field Line Properties

MCQ testing rules of field lines.

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Why is it impossible for two electrostatic field lines to cross each other at any point?

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Concept

Defining Electric Flux

Introduces the area vector and electric flux definition.

Imagine a stream of water flowing through a wire ring. The amount of water passing through depends on the speed of the water, the size of the ring, and how you tilt the ring relative to the flow.

We apply this same logic to electric fields to define Electric Flux.

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IMAGE

Area Element and Flux

Visual defining the normal vector to a surface.

geometric-figure, clean scientific diagram, white background. A planar rectangular area element delta S tilted in space.…

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Electric Flux Formula

Formula for flux.

Electric Flux

Field passing through a surface

Δ ϕ = E \cdot Δ S = E Δ S cos θ

Electric flux depends on field strength, surface area, and the angle between them.

Field

E

Electric field crossing the surface.

Unit:

N C^{- 1}

Surface

Δ S

Area vector normal to the surface.

Magnitude:

Δ S

Angle

θ

Angle between field and area vector.

Between

E

and

Δ S

SI Unit

The SI unit of electric flux is Newton metre squared per Coulomb.

N m^{2} C^{- 1}

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