Which of the following statements about electric field lines due to static charges are true? (Select all that apply.)
Electric field lines can never cross each other.
Static charges can create closed loop electric field lines that do not begin or end on a charge.
Wider spacing between electric field lines indicates a lower magnitude of electric field.
Electric field lines point from negative charges toward positive charges.
A
C
mrs sue, i need help with this test, interactions of forces unit test, its an emergency
Fig 1. shows an arrangement of three charges 𝑞ଵ = +2𝜇𝐶 𝑞ଶ = −4𝜇𝐶 and q3= +5𝜇C,
placed on the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side 2.0 m.
1.1 Calculate the magnitude and direction of net electrostatic force acting on charge
𝑞ଵ.
To determine which of the statements are true about electric field lines due to static charges, we can analyze each statement one by one:
1. Electric field lines can never cross each other.
This statement is true. Electric field lines never intersect or cross each other. If they were to cross, it would imply that an electric field can have two different directions at the same point, which is not possible. Hence, electric field lines can never cross.
2. Static charges can create closed loop electric field lines that do not begin or end on a charge.
This statement is false. Electric field lines always begin on positive charges and terminate on negative charges. They cannot just form closed loops without interacting with charges. Closed loop electric field lines are typically found around magnetic fields and currents, not static charges.
3. Wider spacing between electric field lines indicates a lower magnitude of electric field.
This statement is true. The spacing between electric field lines represents the strength or magnitude of the electric field. The closer the field lines are to each other, the stronger the electric field at that point. Conversely, wider spacing indicates a lower magnitude of the electric field.
4. Electric field lines point from negative charges toward positive charges.
This statement is true. Electric field lines always point in the direction that a positive test charge would experience a force if placed at that point in the electric field. Since positive charges move from positive to negative, electric field lines point away from positive charges and towards negative charges.
In conclusion, the true statements are:
- Electric field lines can never cross each other.
- Wider spacing between electric field lines indicates a lower magnitude of electric field.
- Electric field lines point from negative charges toward positive charges.