Question

Sketch the electric field lines in the vicinity of two opposite charges, where the negative charge is three times greater in magnitude than the positive. (See Figure for a similar situation).

Short answer

When two opposite charges are present, where negative charge is three times that of the positive charge the electric field lines terminating at negative charge will also be three times the number of lines emerging from positive charge.

Step-by-step solution

Electric field lines

Electric field lines are the geometrical construction drawn in such a way that the tangent drawn in the lines gives the direction of the electric field.

Electric field lines in the vicinity of two opposite charges

When two opposite charges are present, the field lines will emerge from positive and terminate at negative.

We know that the number of electric field lines originating from or ending on a charge is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge.

Since the negative charge is three times greater in magnitude than the positive. Hence, the electric field of lines terminating at the negative charge will be three times that of the electric field lines originating from the positive charge and the electric field is represented as,

Electric field lines in the vicinity of two opposite charges