Electric intensity is a vector quantity and its direction is:
Correct answer: D. Along the direction of force
- A. Perpendicular to the direction of field
- B. Opposite to the direction of force
- C. At a certain angle
- D. Along the direction of force
Explanation
Electric intensity, also known as electric field intensity, is the force experienced by a unit positive charge placed at a point in an electric field. The direction of the electric intensity vector is the same as the direction of the force exerted on a positive charge. Therefore, the correct answer is that electric intensity is 'Along the direction of force'.Option A is incorrect because electric intensity is not perpendicular to the electric field; it defines the field's direction. Option B is incorrect because electric intensity is not opposite to the force direction; it coincides with it. Option C is incorrect because the electric intensity direction is not at a random angle but precisely along the force direction.
This question appeared on the UHS MDCAT 2010 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.
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About Electric Field Intensity
Electric field intensity is the force acting per unit positive test charge, with direction set by the force on that charge. Work includes fields of point charges, vector superposition, field lines and the relation between field and electric potential. Field intensity must be distinguished from electric force and potential.
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