Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The electric field ($E$) is a physical field that surrounds electrically charged particles and exerts force on all other charged particles in the field. The strength of this field at any point in space is determined by the magnitude of the source charge that creates it. According to the principle of linear superposition in electrostatics, the field produced is directly proportional to the amount of charge present on the source object.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. For a point charge, the electric field is given by $E = \frac{kQ}{r^2}$.
2. For any charge distribution, the field at a point is $E = \int \frac{k dq}{r^2} \hat{r}$.
3. In all cases, if the geometry and distance remain constant, $E \propto Q$.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let the initial charge on the object be $Q_1$ and the corresponding electric field at a certain point be $E_1$.
According to the definition, $E_1 = \text{Constant} \times Q_1$.
Now, the charge is doubled, so the new charge $Q_2 = 2Q_1$.
The new electric field $E_2$ will be: $E_2 = \text{Constant} \times Q_2$.
Substituting $Q_2 = 2Q_1$ into the equation: $E_2 = \text{Constant} \times (2Q_1) = 2 \times (\text{Constant} \times Q_1)$.
Since the term in the parentheses is $E_1$, we find that $E_2 = 2E_1$.
This demonstrates a direct linear relationship; whatever factor you apply to the source charge will be applied identically to the resulting electric field.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The electric field becomes double.