Physics Electrostatics ETEA 2014
PMDC Verified Question 122 of 131
Q.86 The direction indicated by an electric field line is:
A
The potential must increase
B
The potential must decrease
C
The electric field strength must increase
D
The electric field strength must decrease
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option B: The potential must decrease
1. Concept:

Electric field lines naturally point outward from positive charge (high potential) to negative charge (low potential).

2. Formula:

$$ E = - \frac{\Delta V}{\Delta r} $$

3. Solution:

  • The negative sign in the potential gradient formula mathematically proves that the electric field vector always points in the direction of steepest potential drop. Therefore, following an electric field line means the potential must be decreasing.


4. Why other options are incorrect:

Moving along the field line means moving towards negative charge, so potential goes down, not up (Option A). The field strength might increase or decrease depending on the geometry of the source charges, but the potential is guaranteed to decrease.

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