Which of the following diagrams represents the electric field pattern between two identical positively charged particles? A B C D E - Scottish Highers Physics - Question 10 - 2023

Electric field lines represent the direction and strength of the electric field produced by charged particles. For two identical positively charged particles, the electric field lines will repulse each other, meaning they will spread outwards from each charge and not intersect.

Evaluating the diagrams:

• Diagram A shows lines converging toward the center which indicates attraction, not what we want.
• Diagram B depicts lines radiating away from both charges without intersecting, which accurately represents the repulsive electric field between the two positively charged particles.
• Diagram C has overlapping lines, suggesting attraction between charges.
• Diagram D suggests a complex interaction rather than mere repulsion.
• Diagram E features a configuration similar to what's observed in binding pairs of opposite charges.

Thus, the correct answer is B, as it shows the appropriate repulsive field configuration.