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NEET2026PhysicsChapterActual

What is the magnitude of the component of the electric field parallel to an equipotential surface?

Options

  1. AEqual to the net electric field
  2. BZero
  3. CEqual to the perpendicular component of the field
  4. DDependent on the local surface charge density

Correct answer

B. Zero

Step-by-step solution

By definition, the electric potential V is constant everywhere on an equipotential surface. The component of the electric field along any direction is given by E = - dV dr . For any displacement dr parallel to the equipotential surface, the change in potential dV = 0 . Therefore, the component of the electric field parallel to the equipotential surface is E_ = - 0 dr = 0 . This implies that the electric field is always perpendicular to the equipotential surface, and its parallel component is zero. Answer: Zero

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