Question

By saying that the electrostatic field is conservative, we do not mean that:_______ The potential difference between any two points is zero. It is the gradient of scalar potential. Its circulation is identically zero along any path. Its curl is identically zero everywhere. The work done in moving a charge along closed path inside the field is zero.

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) The potential difference between any two points is zero.

Explanation:

A conservative field is;

i. a vector field that is the gradient of some function. Electrostatic field is the gradient of scalar potential, hence it is conservative.

ii. a vector field where the integral along every closed path is zero. This means that the work done in a closed cycle is zero. For an electrostatic field, the charge along closed path inside the field is zero. Hence, electrostatic field is conservative.

iii. a vector field if curl of its potential(vector product of the del operator and the potential) is zero. The curl of electrostatic field is identically zero everywhere.

iv. a vector field whose circulation is zero along any path.

v. a vector field whose potential difference between two points is independent of the path taken. The potential difference between any two points is not necessarily zero.

Other examples of conservative fields are;

i. gravitational field.

ii. magnetic field.