Question

1. What angle do electric field lines make with the surface of a charge?

2. At what angle do electric field lines cross the equipotential lines?

1. 3. As you follow the direction of the electric field, does electric potential increase or decrease? Is it the same for both positive and negative charges?

4.  Very near a charge or charge grouping, how are the equipotential lines oriented relative to the surface of the charge(s)?

Answer 1

1. Electric field always makes angle of 90 degree with the the surface of charge.

2. Electric field lines cross equipotential lines at right angles always.

3. As we go away from a positive charge that is in the direction of increasing electric field then the potential decreases.

As we go towards the negative charge that is in the direction of electric field the potential becomes more negative that is decreases.

4. For point charges equipotential lines oriented relative to the surface of charged are always circular and for a group of charges the ship depends whether the charge is positive or negative or combination of both.