Question

Is electric field strength always negative?

Answer 1

Electric field strength itself is not inherently negative or positive; rather, it has both magnitude and direction. The electric field is defined as the force per unit charge experienced by a positive test charge placed in the field.

- The direction of the electric field is away from positive charges and towards negative charges.
- If you consider the electric field vector \(\vec{E}\), it can point in different directions depending on the configuration of charges involved.

So, while the value of the electric field can be represented as negative in certain contexts (like when considering the direction relative to a chosen coordinate system), it is not accurate to say that electric field strength is always negative. The key is to look at both its magnitude and direction.

Answer 2

No, the electric field strength is not always negative. The electric field is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The sign of the electric field strength (positive or negative) depends on the direction of the field relative to a chosen reference direction.

In general:

- For a positive charge, the electric field points away from the charge.
- For a negative charge, the electric field points toward the charge.

The concept of "positive" or "negative" in the context of electric fields is more about the direction of the field lines rather than the magnitude of the field itself. The field strength at a point is defined as the force per unit charge experienced by a positive test charge placed at that point. If you place a positive test charge in an electric field, it will experience a force in the direction of the field lines if the field is positive (away from a positive charge or towards a negative charge).