In a system with a proton and an electron near each other, the electric field lines would originate from the proton and end at the electron.

In a system with a proton and an electron near each other, the electric field lines would originate from the proton and end at the electron.

• A. From the electron to the proton
• B. In a closed loop around both
• C. From the proton to the electron
• D. It cannot be determined

Answer: (C)

Electric field lines show the direction of the electric field, and they start on positive charges and end on negative charges. A proton is positively charged, and an electron is negatively charged, so the lines must emanate from the proton and terminate at the electron. That’s why the correct description is from the proton to the electron. Field lines don’t form closed loops in electrostatics, and with both a positive and a negative charge present, the direction is determined by the signs, not left undetermined.

Electric field lines show the direction of the electric field, and they start on positive charges and end on negative charges. A proton is positively charged, and an electron is negatively charged, so the lines must emanate from the proton and terminate at the electron. That’s why the correct description is from the proton to the electron. Field lines don’t form closed loops in electrostatics, and with both a positive and a negative charge present, the direction is determined by the signs, not left undetermined.