I think a more important factor is to simply note that the Field lines
only give you the direction of the electric force (and the charges
acceleration if that is the only force acting.) And then note that
trajectories of particles do not necessarily follow the the direction of
accelerations. Case in point: 2dim projectile motion, acceleration is
down, trajectory is not straight down.
FWIW, in my mind the confusion is more one relating to mechanics and
realizing that Electric forces are forces like any other forces you
studied in mechanics.
________________________
Joel Rauber
Department of Physics - SDSU
Joel.Rauber@sdstate.edu
605-688-4293
| -----Original Message-----
| From: Forum for Physics Educators
| [mailto:PHYS-L@list1.ucc.nau.edu] On Behalf Of David Abineri
| Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 7:28 PM
| To: PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU
| Subject: Electric Field?
|
| In looking at the electric field about a pair of equal but
| opposite fixed point charges situated on the x axis in my
| high school class, we mapped part of the field by looking at
| the forces exerted on a test charge (proton) by the two fixed
| charges. A student then asked me to show that if one places
| the test charge to the left of the left-most charge (the
| positive charge) but just slightly above the x axis that the
| field line that it would follow would in fact 'circle' around
| in a large path until it eventually approaches the other
| charge from the upper right. It seems to me that the force
| of repulsion would always tend to push the charge leftward
| making it difficult to see how it would ever 'circle' to the right.
|
| Is there a way to see that the test proton will eventually move
| rightward? Any help appreciated. Thanks.
|
| David Abineri
|
|
| --
| dabineri@fuse.net
|
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