Re: [Phys-L] Field Lines and charges

["John Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>]

Yes, they do balk at singularities.  Divide by zero is big problem that
computers don't know how to solve.  Maybe they should be taught how to take
limits.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX 

> -----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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