If a point charge is released from rest in auniform electric field, will it follow a field line?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Yes, a point charge released from rest in a uniform electric field will follow a field line.
Explanation (300 words):
When a point charge is placed in an electric field, it experiences an electric force due to the field. The direction and magnitude of this force are given by Coulomb’s Law and Newton’s Second Law: F⃗=qE⃗\vec{F} = q\vec{E}
Here, F⃗\vec{F} is the electric force, qq is the charge, and E⃗\vec{E} is the electric field vector. If the charge is positive, the force acts in the direction of the electric field. If the charge is negative, the force is in the opposite direction.
Now, electric field lines represent the direction of the electric force on a positive test charge. So, when a point charge is released from rest in a uniform electric field, there are no initial forces other than the electric force acting on it. The charge will begin to accelerate along the direction of the electric field if it’s positive, or opposite the field if it’s negative.
In a uniform electric field, the field lines are parallel, straight, and evenly spaced, indicating that the force experienced by the charge is constant in both magnitude and direction. This results in the charge accelerating in a straight line—exactly along the field line direction. The motion follows Newton’s laws: since the net force is in one direction, the particle moves in that direction with increasing speed (assuming no other forces like friction).
Thus, yes, a point charge released from rest in a uniform electric field will follow a field line. The trajectory of the charge directly corresponds to the electric field direction, meaning its path lies along the field lines defined in the space where the field is present.