i. A free negative charge released in an electric field only will- ii. A free positive charge released in an electric field only will- iii. A free positive charge at rest in a magnetic field only will-
You are given the following answer bank (5 possible answers): accelerate in the direction in which the electric field is pointing, accelerate in the direction opposite the electric field, accelerate in the direction perpendicular to the electric field, accelerate along a circular path, remain at rest.
Match Use these 5 possible answers to complete the statements below.
i. A free negative charge released in an electric field only will-
ii. A free positive charge released in an electric field only will-
iii. A free positive charge at rest in a magnetic field only will-
The correct answer and explanation is :
Here’s how the statements should be completed with the correct answers:
i. A free negative charge released in an electric field only will
accelerate in the direction opposite the electric field.
ii. A free positive charge released in an electric field only will
accelerate in the direction in which the electric field is pointing.
iii. A free positive charge at rest in a magnetic field only will
remain at rest.
Explanation:
- Negative Charge in an Electric Field:
An electric field exerts a force on a charged particle. The direction of the electric field is defined as the direction a positive test charge would move. Since a negative charge is opposite to a positive charge, it will move in the opposite direction to the electric field lines. This is because the force on a negative charge is opposite to the direction of the electric field. Thus, a negative charge released in an electric field will accelerate opposite to the direction of the field. - Positive Charge in an Electric Field:
In contrast, a positive charge will accelerate in the direction of the electric field because the force on a positive charge is in the same direction as the electric field lines. The force experienced by the charge is given by Coulomb’s Law, which says that the force on a charge in an electric field is proportional to the charge and the strength of the field. For a positive charge, this force will push the particle in the same direction as the electric field. - Positive Charge in a Magnetic Field:
A magnetic field affects moving charges but does not exert any force on a charge that is at rest. This is because the magnetic force on a charged particle is given by the equation F = q(v × B), where v is the velocity of the particle and B is the magnetic field. When a particle is at rest (v = 0), the magnetic force is zero. Therefore, a positive charge at rest in a magnetic field will not experience any force and will remain at rest.
In summary, electric fields influence charges by exerting forces in the direction (for positive charges) or opposite direction (for negative charges) of the field. Magnetic fields, however, only influence moving charges, so a stationary charge in a magnetic field does not experience any force.