Learn Unit 1-Electrostatics with Free Lessons & Tips

• Electric field lines never cross each other because if they did, it would imply that at the point of intersection, there are multiple directions of electric field, which is not physically possible. The direction of the electric field at any point must be unique and well-defined.

• The electrostatic field at the surface of a charge must be perpendicular at every point because if it had a component parallel to the surface, it would cause charges to move along the surface, which would violate the condition of electrostatic equilibrium.

In the scenario of a metallic sphere placed in a uniform electric field, the electric field lines follow a path that is perpendicular to the surface of the sphere. This is because charges on the surface of a conductor redistribute themselves such that the electric field inside the conductor is zero and the electric field lines terminate perpendicular to the surface.