Identify the correct statement1) Electric field intensity is the negative gradient of scalar electric potential function. 2) Electric field projects normal to an equipotential surface and project from a higher potential surface towards lower potential surface. 3) Both 1 and 2 are correct4) None

The correct statement is 3) Both 1 and 2 are correct.

Explanation:

1. Electric field intensity is indeed the negative gradient of the scalar electric potential function. This is a fundamental concept in electromagnetism. The electric field is defined as the force experienced by a positive test charge divided by the charge itself. The direction of the electric field is the direction of the force a positive test charge would experience if placed in the field. The negative gradient of the potential gives the direction of steepest descent, which is the direction a positive charge would naturally move, hence the electric field direction.

2. Electric field lines are always perpendicular (or normal) to equipotential surfaces. This is because the electric field lines show the direction of the force on a positive test charge, and this force is always directed from regions of high potential to regions of low potential. Therefore, the electric field lines must be perpendicular to the equipotential surfaces.

So, both statements 1 and 2 are correct.