What is the direction of the electric field, provided...?

Question

Here's the entire problem:
A proton is released in a uniform electric field, and it experiences an electric force of 5.8 X 10 ^ (-14) N toward the south. What is the direction of the electric field? The possible answers are:

a.) toward the north
b.) toward the south
c.) toward the east
d.) toward the west

Which one is it? (If you can, also explain why you chose that answer.) Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

b.) toward the south
An electric field can be produced by two charged plates, a positive and a negative to create a potential difference. An electric field is directed towards the negative plate. Since the law of charges states that opposite charges attract, the proton should be attracted to the negative plate and the attraction is caused by the electric field directed toward the south.

Answer 2

surely South pondering the reality it incredibly is impressive and warmth there. basically kidding. electric powered field is a stress field. pondering the reality it incredibly is a stress field it could have a value and a path everywhere. The path in spite of if is bigoted and could substitute into substantial incredibly whilst a different can cost is presented. as a consequence, once you talk that we've a super proton, it components south. For an electron it would have ingredient north. "electric powered fields shop on with the superposition concept. If greater advantageous suitable than you are able to in spite of the undeniable fact that cost is present day, the completed electric powered field at any ingredient is equivalent to the vector sum of the respective electric powered fields that each and each merchandise could create interior the absence of the others." (see ref below.) See additionally superposition concept.

Answer 3

Definitely South since it is nice and warm there.
Just kidding.

Electric field is a force field. Since it is a force field it must have a magnitude and a direction everywhere. The direction however is arbitrary and becomes significant only when a particular charge is introduced. In this case, since we have a positive proton, it points south. For an electron it would have point north.

"Electric fields follow the superposition principle. If more than one charge is present, the total electric field at any point is equal to the vector sum of the respective electric fields that each object would create in the absence of the others." (see ref below.)

See also superposition principle.