AL Phys 1996 Paper II Q16

The standard answer is C. I have checked the Joint-us' answer and also the marking scheme. But this question is not asked well. The correct answer should be E.

Statement 1: The electric field originates from a positive charge. So, the centre of the electric field is a positive charge. For a negative charge placed at Q stationary, it tends to move to P since opposite charges attract.

Statement 2: The electric field strength is revealed by the density of the field lines. If the field lines are denser, then the strength will be higher. So, the electric field at P is stronger than that at Q.

Statement 3: The negative charge will move from R to P automatically, since negative charges attract. Therefore, work is done by the system. And hence no POSITIVE work has to be done by an external agent. (This should be the meaning of the question)

But in physics, this statement is correct since the external agent has to do negative work done. Still, it has work done involved.

So, this question is wrongly set.