Electric Charges & Fields: Gauss's Law
What is the direction of the electric field due to a positive charge?
Radially inward
Tangential
Radially outward
It varies depending on location
Two point charges are placed on the x-axis. A charge of +3q is at x = 0 and a charge of -q is at x = a. At what point on the x-axis is the net electric field zero?
x = a/4
x = 3a/2
x = a/2
x = 3a
What is the definition of an electric field?
The force per unit mass
The energy per unit charge
The force per unit charge
The energy per unit mass
A point charge of +2.0 is placed at the origin. What is the magnitude of the electric field at a point 3.0 m away?
2000 N/C
6000 N/C
4000 N/C
8000 N/C
Which of the following statements about electric field lines is correct?
They cross each other in regions of strong field
They start on negative charges and end on positive charges
Their density indicates the strength of the field
They are parallel to the electric field
A conducting sphere of radius R has a total charge +Q. What is the magnitude of the electric field at a distance r (where r > R) from the center of the sphere?
E = 0
E = kQ/R^2
E = kQ/r^2
E = kQ/r
What is the electric field inside a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium?
Always non-zero
Always zero
Dependent on the shape of the conductor
Dependent on the charge density

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How is charge distributed in conductors versus insulators?
Both distribute charge evenly throughout their volume
Conductors distribute charge throughout their volume, while insulators only have charge on the surface
Conductors have charge only on the surface, while insulators can have charge throughout their volume and on the surface
Both have charge only on the surface
In an electric field line diagram, the electric field is stronger where the field lines are:
closer together
farther apart
curved
straight
What is the direction of the electric field just outside the surface of a charged conductor?
Parallel to the surface
Tangential to the surface
Perpendicular to the surface
At a 45-degree angle to the surface