which of the following is true about the electric field around an electric charge
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To determine which statement about the electric field around an electric charge is true, you need to understand the concept of electric fields.
An electric field is a property of space in which an electric charge experiences a force. It is a region around a charged object (positive or negative) where other charges may experience a force. The electric field is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
Now, let's consider the given options and see which is true:
1. Electric field lines start on positive charges and end on negative charges.
This statement is true. Electric field lines always start on positive charges and end on negative charges. This represents the direction of the electric field, pointing away from positive charges and toward negative charges.
2. Electric field lines only exist when charges are in motion.
This statement is false. Electric field lines exist even when charges are stationary. Electric fields are present due to the presence of charged particles, whether they are in motion or not.
3. The strength of the electric field decreases with the distance from the charge.
This statement is true. The strength of the electric field decreases as you move farther away from the charge. The equation to calculate the electric field at a given distance from a point charge is E = k * Q / r^2, where E is the electric field, k is Coulomb's constant, Q is the charge, and r is the distance from the charge.
Based on the explanations, the true statement about the electric field around an electric charge is: Electric field lines start on positive charges and end on negative charges.