At which point will the magnitude of the electric field due to a point charge be the smallest?

• A. Point A
• B. Point D
• C. Point B
• D. Point C

Answer: (B)

The magnitude of the electric field generated by a point charge decreases with distance from the charge. According to the formula for the electric field E due to a point charge, E = k * |q| / r², where k is a constant, |q| is the absolute value of the charge, and r is the distance from the charge, the electric field is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.

Therefore, as one moves further away from the point charge, the value of r increases, which subsequently decreases the electric field strength. When evaluating points in proximity to the charge, the point that is the farthest from the charge will experience the weakest electric field.

Given that Point D (the chosen correct answer) is positioned farthest away from the point charge, it will experience the smallest magnitude of the electric field compared to the other points which are closer to the charge. The further a point is from the charge, the smaller the electric field it will encounter.