Final answer:
The electric field vector points away from a positive charge and towards a negative charge.
Step-by-step explanation:
In relation to the given question, the electric field vector at a point in space around a positive charge points away from the charge, while the electric field vector around a negative charge points toward the charge.
For example, in Figure 18.27, the red arrows indicate the direction of the electric field created by the positive charges, while the blue arrows indicate the direction of the electric field created by the negative charges.
It's important to note that the electric field vectors are distributed uniformly around the source charge, and the length of the arrow corresponds to the magnitude of the field vector at that point.