Question:medium
The direction of the electric field due to a positive charge is ________.
The direction of the electric field due to a positive charge is ________.
Show Hint
Positive charges point OUT; Negative charges point IN.
Updated On: Jun 26, 2026
- circular around the charge
- radially inwards towards the charge
- radially outwards away from the charge
- along a fixed straight line away from the charge
- along a fixed straight line towards the charge
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept
This question asks for the direction of the electric field created by a single positive point charge. The direction of the electric field at any point is defined as the direction of the force that would be exerted on a small positive test charge if it were placed at that point.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach
According to Coulomb's Law, the force between two point charges \(q_1\) and \(q_2\) is directed along the line joining them. The force is repulsive if the charges have the same sign and attractive if they have opposite signs.
The electric field \(\vec{E}\) due to a source charge \(Q\) is defined by the force \(\vec{F}\) it exerts on a positive test charge \(q_0\): \(\vec{E} = \frac{\vec{F}}{q_0}\).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation
1. Consider the source charge.
The source charge is a positive charge, let's call it \(+Q\).
2. Imagine a positive test charge.
To find the direction of the electric field at a point P, we place a small positive test charge, \(+q_0\), at P.
3. Determine the direction of the force.
According to Coulomb's Law, since both the source charge \(+Q\) and the test charge \(+q_0\) are positive, the force between them is repulsive.
This repulsive force will push the test charge \(+q_0\) directly away from the source charge \(+Q\). The direction of this force is along the straight line connecting \(+Q\) and \(+q_0\), pointing away from \(+Q\).
4. Determine the direction of the electric field.
Since the electric field direction is defined as the direction of the force on a positive test charge, the electric field \(\vec{E}\) also points directly away from the source charge \(+Q\).
This direction is described as "radially outwards". "Radially" means along the radius from the central charge, and "outwards" means away from it.
Step 4: Final Answer
The direction of the electric field due to a positive charge is radially outwards away from the charge.
This question asks for the direction of the electric field created by a single positive point charge. The direction of the electric field at any point is defined as the direction of the force that would be exerted on a small positive test charge if it were placed at that point.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach
According to Coulomb's Law, the force between two point charges \(q_1\) and \(q_2\) is directed along the line joining them. The force is repulsive if the charges have the same sign and attractive if they have opposite signs.
The electric field \(\vec{E}\) due to a source charge \(Q\) is defined by the force \(\vec{F}\) it exerts on a positive test charge \(q_0\): \(\vec{E} = \frac{\vec{F}}{q_0}\).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation
1. Consider the source charge.
The source charge is a positive charge, let's call it \(+Q\).
2. Imagine a positive test charge.
To find the direction of the electric field at a point P, we place a small positive test charge, \(+q_0\), at P.
3. Determine the direction of the force.
According to Coulomb's Law, since both the source charge \(+Q\) and the test charge \(+q_0\) are positive, the force between them is repulsive.
This repulsive force will push the test charge \(+q_0\) directly away from the source charge \(+Q\). The direction of this force is along the straight line connecting \(+Q\) and \(+q_0\), pointing away from \(+Q\).
4. Determine the direction of the electric field.
Since the electric field direction is defined as the direction of the force on a positive test charge, the electric field \(\vec{E}\) also points directly away from the source charge \(+Q\).
This direction is described as "radially outwards". "Radially" means along the radius from the central charge, and "outwards" means away from it.
Step 4: Final Answer
The direction of the electric field due to a positive charge is radially outwards away from the charge.
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