Can electric lines appear as closed loop?
If the electric field lines form a closed loop, these lines must originate and terminate on the same charge which is not possible because electric field lines always move from positive to negative. Therefore, we say electrostatic field lines never form closed loops.
Why is electric field discontinuous across the surface of charged conductor?
The magnitude of the electric field due to a charged spherical shell is zero inside it, maximum on its surface and then keeps decreasing as 1/r2. So the value of electric field does not vary smoothly from r = 0 to r = ? and thus it is discontinuous.
Can an electric field continuous across the surface of conductor?
Electric potential is continuous across the surface of the charged conductor. Electric potential inside is same as that on the surface of the charged conductor. Step by step solution by experts to help you in doubt clearance & scoring excellent marks in exams.
Can the electric field at a point be zero while the electric potential is non zero justify?
Yes, electric potential can be zero at a point even when the electric field is not zero at that point. At the midpoint of the charges of the electric dipole, the electric field due to the charges is non zero, but the electric potential is zero. Was this answer helpful?
Why potential is continuous?
Note on point charges Any real charge distribution, even an electron, takes up a finite amount of space. So the potential in any real situation is continuous. The potential can actually be discontinuous across a dipole layer (in the same way that the electric field is discontinuous across a surface charge).
Is voltage always continuous?
As a direct consequence we can state that in the real world, the voltage across a capacitor is always a continuous function of the time. In an AC circuit, current leads voltage by a quarter phase or 90 degrees.
Is electric potential always continuous in space?
No. For example, the potential of a point charge is discontinuous at the location of the point charge, where the potential becomes infinite. Since all charges in nature seem to be point charges (elementary particles such as electrons and quarks), electric potential always has discontinuities somewhere.
How is electric potential utilized?
Although the concept of electric potential is useful in understanding electrical phenomena, only differences in potential energy are measurable. Therefore, the work done in moving a unit charge from one point to another (e.g., within an electric circuit) is equal to the difference in potential energies at each point.
Does electric potential have direction?
Potential energy is a scalar quantity, so a potential energy field is a scalar field. It has a magnitude everywhere in space, but does not have direction.
Why is electric potential a scalar field?
The electric potential is the electric potential energy of a test charge divided by its charge for every location in space. Because it’s derived from an energy, it’s a scalar field. Electricity is a conservative force, so the work done by it doesn’t depend on the path taken.
Can there be a point in space where there is an electric field but no electric potential?
1. (a) No, just because the electric field is zero at a particular point, it does not necessarily mean that the electric potential is zero at that point. At the midpoint between the charges, the electric potential due to the charges is zero, but the electric field due to the charges at that same point is non-zero.