Two stationary point charges q₁ and q₂ are shown in the figure along with a sketch of some field lines representing the electric field produced by them. What can you deduce from the sketch? A) q₁ is negative and q₂ is positive; the magnitudes are equal. B) q₁and q₂ have the same sign; the magnitudes are equal. C) q₁is positive and q₂ is negative; the magnitude of q₁ is greater than the magnitude of q₂. D) q₁is negative and q₂ is positive; the magnitude of q₁is less than the magnitude of q₂. E) q₁and q₂ have the same sign; the magnitude of q₁ is greater than the magnitude of q₂.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the electric field lines point from the positive charge to the negative charge, we can deduce that the charge represented by the blue lines (q₁) is negative and the charge represented by the red lines (q₂) is positive. Since the electric field lines are the same distance apart, we can further deduce that the magnitudes of the charges are equal. Therefore, the correct choice is D, where q₁is negative and q₂ is positive; the magnitude of q₁is less than the magnitude of q₂.

Two Stationary Point Charges Q1 and Q2 Are Shown in the Figure

Two Stationary Point Charges Q₁ and Q₂ Are Shown in the Figure