Question

Define an electric line of force.

Answer 1

Hint:- As we know that single charge in free space can never feel force. So, it is very important for any electric line of force we must need two or more charges. And by keeping this point and basic formula of force and charge in mind we can find the electric field lines.

Complete step-by-step answer:
First of all let us assume any two charges \[{Q_1}\] and \[{Q_2}\] which are placed at a distance of R from each other.

And as by the formula we know that the force between any two charges is equal to,

\[F = \dfrac{1}{{4\pi { \in _0}}}\dfrac{{{q_1}{q_2}}}{{{r^2}}}\]

Where \[{q_1}\] and \[{q_2}\] are electric charges r is the distance between them and \[\pi \] and \[{ \in _0}\] are constants.

Now putting the value of charges and distance between charges in the above formula. We get,

\[F = \dfrac{1}{{4\pi { \in _0}}}\dfrac{{{Q_1}{Q_2}}}{{{R^2}}}\]

And as we know that when the other charge is present only at that time force is experienced between two charges.

And the factor that is responsible for the force between two charges is called the electric field.

And the electric field is defined as the force applied on the unit charge.

So, electric field = \[\dfrac{{{\text{Force}}}}{{{\text{Charge}}}}\]

And as the electric field around any charge cannot be seen or observed by naked eyes.

So, to define the electric field concept another concept of electric field lines should be taken because with this we can at least represent the area around the charge (i.e. electric field) with the imaginative drawn lines.

And these electric field lines are also known as electric lines of force.

This electric line of force is defined as the flexible curve or straight line around any charged particle.

An electric field line always begins from a positive charge and ends on negative charge but if in case negative charge is not present then it begins from positive charge and goes on till infinity.

Note:- Electric line of force is completely a hypothetical concept which is used to explain the electric field around any charge which leads the force (i.e. force of attraction or force of repulsion) between the charges. But we must remember that the electric line of force never formed a loop.