Question

Between F(electric force), E(electric field) and V(electric potential) which one of these can be negative and why?

Answer 1

I think all can be negative.
Force and Field are vectors so ... direction makes negative.

Potential is merely a measure with some reference, so I think it can be negative.

Answer 2

but excluding the vector property is the potential the only one that could have a negative value? sorry i came across a question that asked this and like you I thought all three could be negative...but the question only said the potential could be, and that confused me. Is the question wrong?

Answer 3

for example, the potential of electron on hydrogen atom at the closest orbit is around -13Mev ... I am not sure. ask google

also when + charges is placed, then field is positive and when - charge is placed, field is negative (for + core charge).

Force: in opposite direction means negative.

I think all can be negative.

Answer 4

yep ok thank you :) thats exactly what I was thinking!

Answer 5

it all depends on frame of reference.. everything is negative relative to something..

Answer 6

i agree with ExperimentX potential being a scalar can have negative sign as when we apply the formula of potential,the sign is also considered...

Answer 7

vectors can have both signs due to their directions and frame of reference while since potential is a scalar which cannot be independently defined (only relatively defined)so it is defined wrt a point..eg. in a nucleus the potential is assumed to be zero at infinity and hence it is negative everywher else..a scalar which can be independently defined may or may not be able to take negative value..eg. temperature in absolute scale can never be negative..and this has nothing to do with the fact that it is absolute scale as zero thermal energy is absolute not relative..