Question

If a charged particle kept at rest experiences an electromagnetic force,
(a) there must be an electric field
(b) there must be a magnetic field
(c) both fields cannot be zero
(d) both fields can be non-zero

Answer 1

(a) the electric field must not be zero
(d) the magnetic field may or may not be zero

As the charged particle is at rest, its velocity, V = 0 and magnetic force, F = qVB = 0. Hence, we cannot determine whether a magnetic field is present or not. But as the particle at rest experiences an electromagnetic force, the electric field must be non-zero. As electric force acts on a particle, whether it is at rest or in motion, an electric force must be present.