Exam-style question
Try this first
How can you determine the direction of the electric field from an electric potential graph?.
- A.By identifying the slope direction
- B.By measuring the potential difference
- C.By analyzing the area under the curve
- D.By finding the maximum potential
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- By identifying the slope direction
Explanation
Why this works
The direction of the electric field can be determined by the slope of the electric potential graph. If the slope is positive, the electric field points in the direction of increasing potential; if negative, it points towards decreasing potential.
This indicates how a positive charge would move in the field, implying that the slope direction directly correlates with the electric field direction. Thus, the correct answer is identifying the slope direction.
Common mistake
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