# Explain why two negatively charged spheres, held close together but not touching, experience a repulsive force between them. Include in your answer what an electric field is and how the field lines around each sphere are arranged.

> AQA A-Level Physics (7408) — 3.7.3 Electric Fields · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. An electric field is a region of space where a charged object experiences a (non-contact) force
2. Each negatively charged sphere produces its own electric field around it
3. The field lines around each negatively charged sphere point inward / towards the sphere (radially inward)
4. When the two spheres are close, their electric fields interact / overlap
5. Like charges (both negative) repel, so the force on each sphere is directed away from the other sphere

## Key terms

- [electric field](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/electric-field)
- [field lines](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/field-lines)
- [repulsive force](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/repulsive-force)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Physics (7408)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-two-negatively-charged-spheres-f0089566) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.