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Prove that the electric field produce by a punctual charge is isotropic and radial

Physics Asked on January 27, 2021

I would like to prove mathematically that the electric field produced by a punctual charge is isotropic and radial, i.e.

$$vec{E}(r,phi,theta)=E(r)vec{e}_rtag{1}$$

I think that this statement is visually understandable by invoking the idea that a sphere would produce a spherical electric field, but it seems hard to show it mathematically.

I know that the the charge distribution of a punctual charge located in $vec{x}=vec{x_0}$ is expressed as $rho(vec{x})=Qdelta(vec{x}-vec{x}_0)$. And from Gauss law, one would get:

$$iint_{mathcal{S}}left(vec{E}cdotvec{n}right),dS=frac{Q}{varepsilon_{0}}tag{2}$$

where $mathcal{S}$ is a closed surface which interior contains $vec{x}_0$. I don’t know how to proceed after this step. Maybe different kinds of surfaces $mathcal{S}$ should be tried. What would you do to prove the statement?

One Answer

Field of single point charge isn't necessarily radial. There is infinity of different fields consistent with such source. If the field is assumed purely retarded and the charge was at rest forever, then the field will be radial everywhere.

Answered by Ján Lalinský on January 27, 2021

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