Suppose the charge shown in Fig. 21.28a is fixed in position. A small, positively charged particle is then placed at some point in the figure and released. Will the trajectory of the particle follow an electric field line? Why or why not? Suppose instead that the particle is placed at some point in Fig. 21.28b and released (the positive and negative charges shown in the figure are fixed in position). Will its trajectory follow an electric field line? Again, why or why not? Explain any differences between your answers for the two different situations.
Solution 9DQ Step 1 of 3: An electric field line is an imaginary line or curve drawn through a region of space so that its tangent at any point is in the direction of the electric-field vector E at that point. . Electric field lines show the direction of E at each point, and their spacing gives a general idea of the magnitude of E at each point. Where it is strong, we draw lines bunched closely together; where it is weaker, they are farther apart.
