Draw the electric field that corresponds to the equipotential surfaces shown in the following figure. Note that the potential is decreasing in the upward direction.

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.
• E.
• F.

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electric field lines are always perpendicular to equipotential surfaces. This is because the electric field is the gradient of the potential, and the gradient is always perpendicular to the level surfaces of a scalar field.
2. Note that the potential is decreasing in the upward direction, as indicated by the arrow in the figure. This means that the electric field lines should point in the direction of decreasing potential.
3. Since the potential decreases upward, the electric field lines should point downward, opposite to the direction of the potential decrease.
4. Draw the electric field lines such that they are perpendicular to the equipotential lines at every point. This means the electric field lines should be vertical and evenly spaced, indicating a uniform field.
5. Ensure that the direction of the electric field lines is consistent with the direction of decreasing potential, which is downward in this case. This means the arrows on the electric field lines should point downward.