Electric fields

Definition

An electric field is a region around a charged particle where other charged particles experience a force. The direction of the electric field is defined as the direction of the force that would act on a positive test charge placed in the field.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The strength of an electric field is measured in newtons per coulomb (N/C).
2. Electric field lines start from positive charges and end on negative charges.
3. The density of electric field lines indicates the strength of the electric field.
4. Electric fields obey the superposition principle, meaning the net electric field is the vector sum of individual fields.
5. A point charge creates a radial electric field, which diminishes with distance squared ($$E = k_e \frac{Q}{r^2}$$).

Review Questions

Related terms

Coulomb's Law:

Describes the electrostatic force between two charged particles: $$F = k_e \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}$$.

Superposition Principle:

States that when multiple forces are acting, the total force is equal to the vector sum of individual forces.

Electric Potential:

The work done per unit charge in bringing a small positive test charge from infinity to that point in space.