Question

why do the electrostatic field lines not form closed loop

Answer 1

Electrostatic Field Lines do not form closed curved loops because of the following reason :

• Electrostatic field lines are actually a configuration of the electrostatic field intensity generated by static charges

• It is known that Electrostatic Field Lines originate and diverge from a positive charge. Whereas , the lines converge and meet at a negative charge.

• Now , let's consider a binary charge system consisting of a positive and negative charge. The field lines originate from the positive charge and meet at the negative charge.

• For Electrostatic Field Lines to form closed , curved loops , the lines would have to originate from one charge and terminate at the same charge. This means that for a positive charge , the lines would emerge and terminate at the same position. This is not possible.

• Hence closed , curved loops are not possible for Electrostatic Field.

• But closed loops are formed in another type of Electric Field known as Induced Electric Field.