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#charged wire

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

Electric Field and Electric Field Lines

Why does the electric field due to a uniformly charged wire drop off more slowly with distance compared to a point charg

**Electric field concept** visualizes influence of source charge. Uniform field exerts constant force F = qE, and flux Φ = E·A = E A cosθ links field to area orientation, maximum when field normal to surface. The wire’s linear charge distribution leads to a cylindrical field pattern ( 1/r ), as per Gauss’s law, spreading over a surface area proportional to r . A point charge’s spherical spread ( 1/r² ) over r² results in a faster drop-off. Substituting values gives Linear distribution, which matches expected magnitude for this electrostatic configuration, confirming Coulomb's and Gauss's principles and charge quantization consistency.

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Electric Charges and Fields > Electric Field and Electric Field Lines

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Electric Field and Electric Field Lines

What ensures that the electric field is always radial for an infinitely long, uniformly charged wire?

**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.

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Electric Charges and Fields > Electric Field and Electric Field Lines

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