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-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@mail.phys-l.org
[mailto:phys-l-bounces@mail.phys-l.org] On Behalf Of
treborsci@verizon.net
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2012 3:28 PM
To: Phys-L@Phys-L.org
Subject: Re: [Phys-L] Field Lines and charges
Gauss' law is a physical fact. The field line is a
metaphorical construct to help us visualize the electric
field distribution.
An unspoken implication in this metaphorical construction is
the expectation that one, and only one, field line goes
through a given space point. It is this expectation of the
metaphorical field lines that is violated in the cited situation.
At a given x=0 space point, several field lines coexist. The
usual computerized field line construction algorithm will
balk in this situation.
Bob Sciamanda
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (Em)
treborsci@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/res12merh/
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