Question

Which way will the force lines point in a diagram of the electric field surrounding a positive charge? a. Toward the charge c. Both toward and away from the charge b. Away from the charge d. Direction depends on the strength of the charge

Answer 1

The force lines of an electric field surrounding a positive charge point away from the charge. Option (b) is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The theory behind this problem is that if you were to place an arbitrary positive test charge at a distance from the positive charge, the force on that charge would point away from the charge. Why? This is a fundamental property of electric charges. Like charges repel like charges, and opposite charges attract. I've attached a diagram explaining this

So whatever direction the force of the arbitrary positive test charge would point is the same as the direction of the electric field lines.

Conversely, if you had a negative charge, and placed a positive test charge a distance away from the negative charge, the force on the test charge would point towards the negative charge.

Let me know if you have any further questions!

Answer 2

Answer: (C) Away from the charge

Explanation: A positive test charge is repelled by a positive charge.