The electric field shown is produced by a single point charge at the center of the picture. If a new positive point charge is placed at location A directly to the right of the one pictured, the force on it will
A) be zero.
B) push it to the right.
C) push it to the left.
D) be in an unknown direction.

Question

The electric field shown is produced by a single point charge at the center of the picture.  If a new positive point charge is placed at location A directly to the right of the one pictured, the force on it will
A) be zero. 
B) push it to the right. 
C) push it to the left. 
D) be in an unknown direction.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the new positive point charge is placed to the right of the original point charge, and the electric field lines point radially outward from the original charge, the new charge will experience a force in the direction of the electric field lines, which is to the right. Therefore, the correct answer is B, the force will push it to the right.

The Electric Field Shown Is Produced by a Single Point