-->

Electric Charges And Fields

Question

The electric field due to a point charge at any point near it is defined as $E = \lim_{q \to 0} F / q$ where q is the test charge and F is the force acting on it. What is the physical significance of $\lim_{q \to 0}$ in this expression.

Solution

In case the test charge is not vanishingly small it will produce it's own electric field. Therefore, the measured value of electric field at the observation point will be affected and will be different from the actual value of electric field at that point. Therefore we take the test charge to be negligibly small.

Some More Questions From Electric Charges and Fields Chapter

a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field line cannot have sudden breaks. Why not?
b) Explain why two field lines never cross each other at any point?

For Daily Free Study Material Join wiredfaculty

Electric Charges And Fields

The electric field due to a point charge at any point near it is defined as $E = \lim_{q \to 0} F / q$ where q is the test charge and F is the force acting on it. What is the physical significance of $\lim_{q \to 0}$ in this expression.

Some More Questions From Electric Charges and Fields Chapter

a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field line cannot have sudden breaks. Why not?
b) Explain why two field lines never cross each other at any point?

Mock Test Series

NCERT Sample Papers

Entrance Exams Preparation

Phone Number

Email Address

Loaction

For Daily Free Study Material Join wiredfaculty

Electric Charges And Fields

The electric field due to a point charge at any point near it is defined as E=limq→0 F/q where q is the test charge and F is the force acting on it. What is the physical significance of limq→0 in this expression.

Some More Questions From Electric Charges and Fields Chapter

a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field line cannot have sudden breaks. Why not?b) Explain why two field lines never cross each other at any point?

Mock Test Series

NCERT Sample Papers

Entrance Exams Preparation

The electric field due to a point charge at any point near it is defined as $E = \lim_{q \to 0} F / q$ where q is the test charge and F is the force acting on it. What is the physical significance of $\lim_{q \to 0}$ in this expression.

a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field line cannot have sudden breaks. Why not?
b) Explain why two field lines never cross each other at any point?