For instance consider the
map on the right of the Rawah Wilderness in northern
Colorado . All
points on the same line are at the same
elevation, just as all points on the same
equipotential line are at the same voltage.
Water will always flow downhill; hence the rivers
are always perpendicular to the contour lines on the
topographic map. This is similar to the way electric
field lines are always perpendicular to
equipotential lines. When contour lines are close
together, the slope is steep, e.g. a cliff, just
as close equipotential lines indicate a strong
electric field. Lakes are at the same elevation,
in the same way conductors are at the same
potential.
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