A charged particle traveling along the +x axis enters an electric field directed vertically upward along the +y-axis. If the charged particle experiences a force downward because of this field, what is the sign of the charge on this particle?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The direction of the force experienced by a charged particle in an electric field is given by the direction of the field, and the sign of the charge on the particle. In this case, the field is directed upward, which means that a positively charged particle would experience a force in the upward direction. However, the particle experiences a force in the downward direction, which implies that the charge on the particle is opposite to the direction of the field, i.e. negative. Therefore, option A is correct.

A Charged Particle Traveling Along the +X Axis Enters an Electric