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Question

P is a point on an equipotential surface S. The field at P is E.
  1. E must be perpendicular to S in all cases.
  2. E will be perpendicular to S only if S is a plane surface.
  3. E cannot have a component along a tangent to S.
  4. E may have a nonzero component along a tangent to S if S is a curved surface.

A
E may have a nonzero component along a tangent to S if S is a curved surface.
B
E cannot have a component along a tangent to S.
C
E must be perpendicular to S in all cases.
D
E will be perpendicular to S only if S is a plane surface.
Solution
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The correct options are
A E must be perpendicular to S in all cases.
C E cannot have a component along a tangent to S.
The electric field at any point and any plane on the equipotential surface is always perpendicular to S.
As the electric field is directed form the surface so it has only radial component and there is no tangential component.

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