Conservative Field

Conservative Field

• It is seen that, the work done in moving a test charge around any closed path in a static field E is zero. This is because starting and terminating point is same for a closed path. Hence upper and lower limit of integration becomes same hence the work done becomes zero. Such an integral over a closed path is denoted as,

Key Point : The  sign indicates integral over a closed path. Such a field having property given by equation (4.11.1), associated with it, is called conservative field or lamellar field. This indicates that the work done in  and hence potential between two points is independent of the path joining the two points.

Review Question

1. Define conservative field.