The negative gradient of electric potential is also called:
Correct answer: B. Electric field intensity
- A. Potential energy
- B. Electric field intensity
- C. Electric potential difference
- D. Electron-volt
Explanation
The correct answer is Electric field intensity. The electric field intensity is defined as the negative gradient of electric potential, shown by the equation E = -dV/dx. This means that the electric field points in the direction where the potential decreases most rapidly. The other options are incorrect because: Potential energy is related to position in a field, not potential gradients; Electric potential difference is the measure of work done per unit charge between two points and not a gradient; Electron-volt is a unit of energy, unrelated to potential gradients.
This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2012 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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