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The equipotential surfaces shown are around an isolated point charge. The shape and behaviour of these surfaces are best described by: ![](https://qallery.app/diagrams/1cbc3649-d324-436f-8e2d-6a22790cbc44/img-9.jpeg)

ARandom surfaces; equipotentials can have any shape near a point charge.
BConcentric spheres centred on the charge; $\vec E$ is radial and perpendicular to each surface.
CParallel planes; the field is uniform.
DCoaxial cylinders; $\vec E$ is along the axis.
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Concentric spheres centred on the charge; $\vec E$ is radial and perpendicular to each surface.
For a point charge $V = kq/r$, so $V$ is constant for all points at the same $r$ — i.e. a sphere. $\vec E$ is radial, and (as Eq. 8.13 implies) always perpendicular to these spherical equipotentials. Concentric cylindrical surfaces would describe a line charge, not a point charge.
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