Question

Out of the following statements which is NOT the characteristics of electric lines of force? ______.

• A. Electric lines of force originate from a positively charged object and end on negatively charged object.
• B. The electric lines of force do not intersect each other.
• C. The electric lines of force pass through the conductor.
• D. The electric lines of force are crowded in a region where electric intensity is large.

Hint:

Magnetic field lines CAN pass through magnetic materials (forming continuous closed loops). Electric field lines CANNOT pass through conductors (they break and terminate at the surface)!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We must evaluate standard electrostatic properties of electric field lines and identify the statement that is factually incorrect.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's review the fundamental properties of electric lines of force:
- Option (a): Field lines always map the path a positive test charge would take. Thus, they always originate from positive charges and terminate on negative charges. (True).
- Option (b): If two lines intersected, it would imply that the electric field has two distinct directions at that single point, which is physically impossible as the net field is a single vector sum. Thus, they never intersect. (True).
- Option (d): The density or "crowdedness" of field lines directly represents the magnitude (intensity) of the electric field in that region. (True).
- Option (c): Under static conditions, the electric field strictly inside the bulk of a solid conductor is absolutely zero. Because the field is zero, electric lines of force do not exist inside, and therefore cannot pass through, a conductor. They terminate perfectly perpendicularly on the conductor's surface. (False).

Step 3: Final Answer:
The false statement is that they pass through the conductor, matching option (c).