Final answer:
A negative charge at rest in an electric field will move toward a region of higher potential, opposite to the direction of the field lines.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a negative charge is initially at rest in an electric field, it will move toward a region of higher potential. This is because the electric field lines point from a region of higher potential to a region of lower potential and exert a force on charges within the field. For a positive charge, this force directs it towards regions of lower potential; however, for a negative charge such as an electron, it will move in the opposite direction toward regions of higher potential, essentially moving against the electric field lines. This is similar to gravitational fields, where objects move towards regions of lower gravitational potential. It is also consistent with Coulomb's law, which indicates repulsion between like charges and attraction between opposite charges. Therefore, a negative charge in an electric field is attracted to positive charges, which are associated with regions of higher potential.