Consider the following statements regarding Electric Field Intensity:1.Electric field intensity at a point is defined as force experienced by a unit positive test charge placed at that point.2.Electric field due to a point charge decreases inversely with square of distance from the charge.3.Electric field is independent of the medium surrounding the charge.4.Superposition principle applies to electric fields generated by multiple charges.Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Correct Answer: C - 1, 2 and 4 only

Quick Concept Explanation

Electric-field intensity is force per unit positive test charge. Electric fields obey superposition because electrostatics is linear with respect to source charge in a fixed medium. Key relation: E=F/q; E=Q/(4πεr²) r_hat.

Exam focus: Distance enters as r² and medium enters through ε. Common trap: Do not omit permittivity when comparing different media.

Statement-wise Verification

• Statement 1 - Correct.
  Electric field intensity at a point is defined as force experienced by a unit positive test charge placed at that point.
  Electric-field intensity is force per unit positive test charge.
• Statement 2 - Correct.
  Electric field due to a point charge decreases inversely with square of distance from the charge.
  Electric-field intensity is force per unit positive test charge.
• Statement 3 - Incorrect.
  Electric field is independent of the medium surrounding the charge.
  The electric field from a given free charge depends on permittivity of the surrounding medium
• Statement 4 - Correct.
  Superposition principle applies to electric fields generated by multiple charges.
  Electric fields obey superposition because electrostatics is linear with respect to source charge in a fixed medium.

Core Concept

Electric-field intensity is force per unit positive test charge. For a point charge in a uniform medium its magnitude follows an inverse-square law and includes the medium permittivity. Electric fields obey superposition because electrostatics is linear with respect to source charge in a fixed medium.

Formula / Key Relationship

E=F/q; E=Q/(4πεr²) r_hat.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option A is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3 and omits correct statement(s) 1, 4. Option B is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3 and omits correct statement(s) 2, 4. Option D is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3.

Exam Shortcut / Approach

Distance enters as r² and medium enters through ε.

Common Mistake

Do not omit permittivity when comparing different media.

Quick Revision

Coulomb Field and Superposition is linked with Electric Field Intensity, Electrostatics and Electromagnetic Fields. Distance enters as r² and medium enters through ε.