Chapter 23, Problem 1P

A negatively charged rod of finite length carries charge with a uniform charge per unit length. Sketch the electric field lines in a plane containing the rod.

To determine

To draw: The electric field lines in a plane containing the rod.

Answer to Problem 1P

The diagram of electric field lines in a plane containing the rod is

Figure (1)

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Field lines represent a uniform electric field penetrating a plane of the area perpendicular to the field. The electric field is a vector field around a charged particle. It represents the force that other charged particles would feel if placed near the particle creating the electric field.

If the charge is positive, field lines points radially away from the rod; if the charge is negative, field lines points radially towards the rod. As the charge is negative, the field lines points radially towards the rod.

The diagram below shows the electric field lines in a plane containing the rod