Direction of the Electric Field at That Point

The most basic way to define an electric field would be as the electric force per unit charge. The direction of the field is considered to be the direction of the force exerted by it on a positive test charge. The field is radially outward from a charge that is positive. On the other hand, it is radially in towards a point charge that is negative. Associated with this electric field direction are the electric field lines. The electric field line definition describes it as an imaginary line that points in the direction of the electric field vector. We will learn more about the electric field line definition. We shall also look at the concept of the direction of the electric field at that point. 

Electric Field Line Definition

The best electric field line definition is to describe it as an imaginary line drawn in a way that its tangent points in the electric field vector direction at this position. The relative spacing between lines can tell us about the strength of the electric field at that point. 

Another electric field line definition is to consider it as the path along which the movement of a small positive test charge shall take place if its free movement is allowed along the path.

The density of the electric field lines provides us with information about the electric field magnitude. So, the strength of the electric field because of the charged body is higher in the region where the field lines density is higher. Where the density of the electric field lines is lower, the field strength is consequently lower. 

The magnitude is stronger near the centre and weakens as we move further outwards. The field lines are closer together towards the centre. Away from the centre, the field lines are relatively apart, meaning a lesser density. 

What is Meant by the Direction of the Electric Field at that Point

The direction of an electrical field at a point is similar to the direction of the electrical force. The acting of this force, at that point, takes place on a positive test charge. 

Suppose that a positive test charge is placed in an electric field. Now, consider that the charge moves to the right. When this happens, the direction of the electric field in that region would be pointing towards the right.

The direction of the electric field is always in the direction where the pushing or pulling of a positive test charge happens if it is in the space surrounding the source. It is possible to represent an electric field with a vector arrow since it is a vector quantity. The arrows point in the electric field direction for any particular location. Moreover, their length would be proportional to the strength of the electric field at that location.

The properties of electric field lines

The properties of the electric field lines are described below:

• • They are imaginary.
  • They are continuous.
  • They can be curved or straight, depending on the situation. 
  • Their intersection with each other is not possible.
  • Their starting is from the positive charge, while their ending is at the negative charge.
  • These lines perpendicularly intersect equipotential surfaces. 

• A field line is drawn tangential to the net at a point.

• The tangent at any point on the electric field line would provide us with the electric field direction at that point.
• They begin at the charge, and they end either at the charge or at infinity.
• These lines tend to vanish inside the conductor because the electric field inside a conductor equals zero.

Conclusion

The electric field line definition describes it as an imaginary line that points in the direction of the electric field vector. Also, a field line is drawn tangential to the net at a point. When the electric field lines density is lower, the field strength is consequently lower. The direction of an electrical field at a point is similar to the direction of the electrical force. There are several properties of electric field lines such that they are imaginary and continuous and that their intersection is not possible.