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CE Figure 20-27 shows a series of equipotentials in a
Chapter 20, Problem 47P(choose chapter or problem)
Figure 20–27 shows a series of equipotentials in a particular region of space, and five different paths along which an electron is moved. (a) Does the electric field in this region point to the right, to the left, up, or down? Explain. (b) For each path, indicate whether the work done on the electron by the electric field is positive, negative, or zero. (c) Rank the paths in order of increasing amount of work done on the electron by the electric field. Indicate ties where appropriate. (d) Is the electric field near path A greater than, less than, or equal to the electric field near path E? Explain.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Figure 20–27 shows a series of equipotentials in a particular region of space, and five different paths along which an electron is moved. (a) Does the electric field in this region point to the right, to the left, up, or down? Explain. (b) For each path, indicate whether the work done on the electron by the electric field is positive, negative, or zero. (c) Rank the paths in order of increasing amount of work done on the electron by the electric field. Indicate ties where appropriate. (d) Is the electric field near path A greater than, less than, or equal to the electric field near path E? Explain.
ANSWER:
Step 1 of 4:
a)
Here we have to find the direction of the electric field.
We know that,
So, it is the negative of the gradient of the potential.
The potential is increasing towards right, so the negative of it will be towards left.
So, the electric field must be in the leftward direction.