Question

Consider what would happen if electric field lines could cross each other. What would it mean if two electric field lines were to cross?

a) A test charge placed at the intersection of two electric field lines would be torn apart and travel in two different directions.

b) A test charge placed at the intersection of two electric field lines would experience a net force in two different directions at once.

c) A positive test charge placed at the intersection of two electric field lines would follow one of the lines and a negative test charge would follow the other line.

d) The electric field at the intersection point would be infinitely large. e) The electric field at the intersection point would be zero.

Answer 1

Option "b" is correct as, when two electric field lines cross each other at a point then there will be two opposite directions tangent to the point of interaction. So when a test charge is pleased at the infection point it will feel a net electric forces in two different dorection at once.

However two electric field lines do not cross each other.