For a negatively charged particle, the direction of the electric force is relative to the electric field:

For a negatively charged particle, the direction of the electric force is relative to the electric field:

• A. The opposite
• B. The same as
• C. Perpendicular
• D. Unrelated

Answer: (A)

Electric force on a particle is F = qE, where q is the particle’s charge and E is the electric field. The field direction is defined as the direction a positive test charge would accelerate. So, for a positive charge, the force points in the same direction as the field. But if the charge is negative, q is negative, and the product qE points in the opposite direction to E. That’s why a negatively charged particle experiences a force opposite to the field direction. The field lines show the force direction for a positive charge, and a negative charge would move along the same line but in the opposite way.

Electric force on a particle is F = qE, where q is the particle’s charge and E is the electric field. The field direction is defined as the direction a positive test charge would accelerate. So, for a positive charge, the force points in the same direction as the field. But if the charge is negative, q is negative, and the product qE points in the opposite direction to E. That’s why a negatively charged particle experiences a force opposite to the field direction. The field lines show the force direction for a positive charge, and a negative charge would move along the same line but in the opposite way.