Consider a positively charged wire bent into the shape of a capital "U". Point P is down in the well of the "U" (specifically at the center of curvature). If point P were moved slightly toward the top of the page, the direction of the E-field would

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electric field (E-field) direction is determined by the direction a positive charge would move if placed in the field. Since the wire is positively charged, the electric field lines radiate outward from the wire. At point P, in the center of the curvature of the "U" shape, the electric field lines would be directed radially outward from the wire. Moving point P slightly toward the top of the page would not change the fundamental direction of the electric field lines emanating from the wire; they would still point directly away from the wire, meaning the direction of the E-field at point P remains unchanged.

Consider a Positively Charged Wire Bent into the Shape of a Capital