Question

The mechanical force per unit charge at a given point is called:

• A. Electric field intensity
• B. Potential energy
• C. Permeability
• D. Permittivity

Hint:

Electric field = Force per unit charge. It’s a vector and fundamental to understanding electrostatics.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The mechanical force per unit charge at a given point is defined as the electric field intensity. The electric field intensity (E) is a vector quantity and is given by the formula:

E = F/Q

where F is the force experienced by a charge Q. The unit of electric field intensity is Newton per Coulomb (N/C).

Let's evaluate the options:

• Electric field intensity: This is the correct definition as it represents the force per unit charge.
• Potential energy: This refers to the energy possessed by an object due to its position or condition, not force per unit charge.
• Permeability: This relates to the ability of a material to support the formation of a magnetic field within itself, not relevant to force per unit charge.
• Permittivity: This is a measure of how an electric field affects, and is affected by, a dielectric medium, not directly force per unit charge.

Thus, the correct answer is Electric field intensity.