Multiple Choice
What magnitude of point charge produces an electric field of at a distance of from the charge?
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24. Electric Force & Field; Gauss' Law
Electric Field
Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes what the electric field strength indicates about an electric field?
A
It tells the speed at which charges move through the field.
B
It tells the magnitude and direction of the force that would be exerted on a unit positive charge placed at a point in the field. is defined as for a unit positive charge.
C
It tells the energy stored in the field per unit volume.
D
It tells the total amount of charge present in the field.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the electric field strength \( \mathbf{E} \) at a point in space is a vector quantity that describes the influence of the electric field at that point.
Recall the definition of electric field strength: it is the force \( \mathbf{F} \) experienced by a small positive test charge \( q \) placed at that point, divided by the magnitude of that charge, expressed as \( \mathbf{E} = \frac{\mathbf{F}}{q} \).
Recognize that this means the electric field strength gives both the magnitude and direction of the force that would act on a unit positive charge placed in the field.
Note that electric field strength does not describe the speed of charges, the energy stored in the field, or the total charge present; it specifically relates to force per unit positive charge.
Therefore, the best description of electric field strength is that it indicates the magnitude and direction of the force exerted on a unit positive charge at a point in the field.
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