Understanding the Direction of Electric Field Vectors

[chopnhack]

I saw this thread "https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/electric-fields-magnitude-and-direction.765309/"
If i understand this concept better now:

E1 is facing opposite its source at +3 nC because it is a positive charge and the field flows out from the charge whereas -5 nC's vector points towards its source because it is negatively charged - field lines for negatively charged particles are pointing inward.

Is that valid for all vector diagrams involving charge?

 

[gneill]

@chopnhack : Please be sure to use the formatting template when you create threads in any of the homework forums.

E1 is facing opposite its source at +3 nC because it is a positive charge and the field flows out from the charge whereas -5 nC's vector points towards its source because it is negatively charged - field lines for negatively charged particles are pointing inward.

Is that valid for all vector diagrams involving charge?

Yes. The field lines due to a point charge always lie along a line joining the point of observation to the charge. The field's direction is as you stated: dependent on the sign of the charge.

 

[chopnhack]

@chopnhack : Please be sure to use the formatting template when you create threads in any of the homework forums.Yes. The field lines due to a point charge always lie along a line joining the point of observation to the charge. The field's direction is as you stated: dependent on the sign of the charge.

Thanks mate, it took me a bit, being thick an all... I can tell you homework is a fair deal easier now!