What kind of field is created by a static charge?

• A. A purely magnetic field
• B. A purely electric field
• C. A combination of electric and magnetic fields
• D. No field at all

Answer: (B)

A static charge creates a purely electric field. This electric field exists in the space around the charge and is a result of the static electric force that the charge exerts on other charges present in the vicinity. The electric field is defined by how a unit positive charge would experience a force when placed in the vicinity of the static charge.

Static electric charges do not produce a magnetic field unless they are in motion. Magnetic fields are generated by moving charges (currents), so in the absence of movement, the purely electric field is the only field present. The strength and direction of this electric field can be determined using Coulomb's Law, which helps to understand how the electric field diminishes with distance from the charge.

This concept is foundational in electrostatics and is key to understanding how charges interact without requiring movement.