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

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The new negative point charge placed at location B will experience a force in the direction of the electric field lines, which is downward in this case. This is because like charges repel each other, and the negative charge at location B will experience a repulsive force from the negative charge at the center.

The Electric Field Shown Is Produced by a Single Point