Which of the following statements are correct?
(A) All of electrostatics is basically a consequence of Coulomb's law and the super position principle.
(B) A charge producing the electric field is a test charge.
(C) Electric and magnetic fields are regarded as physical entities.
(D) In water molecule centres of positive charges and negative charges do not coincide.
(E) Electrostatic field lines cannot form closed loops.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (C), (D) and (E) Only
(A) All of electrostatics is basically a consequence of Coulomb’s law and the super position principle — Correct. The force between charges follows from Coulomb’s law, and the force or field due to many charges is the vector sum of the individual ones (superposition).
(B) A charge producing the electric field is a test charge — Incorrect. The charge that produces a field is the source charge.
(C) Electric and magnetic fields are regarded as physical entities — Correct. They carry energy and momentum and exert forces on charges, so they are real physical quantities and not just a mathematical device.
(D) In water molecule centres of positive charges and negative charges do not coincide — Correct. Water is a polar molecule; its bent shape keeps the two centres apart and gives it a permanent dipole moment.
(E) Electrostatic field lines cannot form closed loops — Correct. The electrostatic force is conservative, so the work done around a closed path is zero, which would not be possible if the lines closed on themselves.
NCERT (2026-27):
Forces Between Multiple Charges – “… All of electrostatics is basically a consequence of Coulomb’s law and the superposition principle.”
Electric Field – “… The charge Q, which is producing the electric field, is called a source charge and the charge q, which tests the effect of a source charge, is called a test charge.”
Physical Significance of Electric Field – “… Thus, even though electric and magnetic fields can be detected only by their effects (forces) on charges, they are regarded as physical entities, not merely mathematical constructs.”
Physical Significance of Dipoles – “… But in some molecules, the centres of negative charges and of positive charges do not coincide. … Such molecules are called polar molecules. Water molecules, H2O, is an example of this type.”
Electric Field Lines – “… (iv) Electrostatic field lines do not form any closed loops.”