Why is it important to avoid sharp edges or points on conductors?

The electric field near a conductor is inversely proportional to the radius of curvature of the surface. A sharp edge or point has a very small radius of curvature so the electric field near a sharp edge or point will be very large. This can cause to a breakdown of the air and sparking.

What effect does the conductor have on the field lines?

For electric fields when a conductor such as an aluminium sheet is placed in the field the field lines get affected due to the conductor. But when a conductor is placed in a magnetic field there will be no change in the magnetic field lines.

What happens when an electron is released from rest in a uniform electric field?

If an electron is released from rest in a uniform electric field, the electric potential energy of the charge-field system (a) increases, (b) decreases, or (c) remains the same. The field exerts a force on the electron, causing it to accelerate in the direction opposite to that of the field.

What is the difference between electric potential and potential energy?

Distinguish between electric potential and potential energy. Electric potential at a point is defined as the amount of work done, in moving a unit positive charge with zero acceleration from infinity to that point. Potential energy, is the energy possessed by the charge by virtue of its particular position.

Why must electric field lines perpendicularly enter or out from the conducting surface?

Conductors contain free charges that move easily. The free charges move until the field is perpendicular to the conductor’s surface. There can be no component of the field parallel to the surface in electrostatic equilibrium, since, if there were, it would produce further movement of charge.

Why do charges accumulate at sharp points?

Because R1 is smaller than R2, there are fewer charges on the smaller sphere than the larger one. Using the geometric argument of curvature, the sphere with the smaller radius has larger curvature. As a result, we conclude that electrons tend to concentrate on the location with more curvature, i.e. sharp edges.

Why the electric field lines Cannot pass through a conductor?

The net electric field inside a conductor is zero. Therefore, the electric field lines do not pass through a conductor.

Why does charge accumulate at sharp points?

Why is electric field stronger at sharp edges?

it is simple to understand it is actually because- the filed of charge feel more stable (less electrostatic repulsion force charge at sharp age then at plane so high no of charge are easily come across sharp end and increase intensity near sharp end.

What causes the charge to move in a conductor?

The electrical forces around a conductor will cause free charges to move around inside the conductor until static equilibrium is reached. Any excess charge will collect along the surface of a conductor. Conductors with sharp corners or points will collect more charge at those points.

What is the net charge on a conductive sphere?

On a conductive sphere electrons are on the outside. The net charge will be what is on the inside surface and the outside surface added together (-Qoutside + Qinside = net charge) because there is a positive charge on the inside, there will be an induced negative charged on the outside to cancel out and make zero.

Where is the charge density highest on a charged conductor?

(iii) e – charge density on the surface of an isolated, charged conductor is highest where the surface is highest where the surface is sharpest. This is because all the electrons want to go there since it appears as if there aren’t many on the sharp point. Two uncharged, conducting spheres are separated by a distance d.

Does the electric field exist on the surface of a charge?

The electric field embodies the capability to exert a force. And certainly if a charge was placed as A, the other two would exert a force on it. So the electric field does exist there. A student stands on a thick piece of insulating material, places her hand on top of a Van de Graaf generator, and then turns on the generator.