Practice question
Question
What ensures that the electric field is always radial for an infinitely long, uniformly charged wire?
Explanation
**Electric field** defined as E = F/q₀, force per unit positive test charge, unit N/C or V/m, direction along force on positive test charge. For point charge, E = k q/r² radially outward for q>0. Field lines start on positive and end on negative, density indicates strength. The cylindrical symmetry of an infinitely long, uniformly charged wire means the field must be radial (perpendicular to the wire) and uniform along its length. Any non-radial component would violate symmetry, and Gauss’s law confirms this radial dependence. Substituting values gives Symmetry, which matches expected magnitude for this electrostatic configuration, confirming Coulomb's and Gauss's principles and charge quantization consistency.
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