E-Field Attenuation: Causes & Effects

AI Thread Summary
Electric fields do attenuate in space, following the inverse square law, where the strength of the field decreases as the distance from the source increases. This attenuation occurs because the field lines become less dense as one moves away from the source. Similarly, gravitational fields also experience attenuation in space, as the gravitational pull diminishes with distance from a planet. The underlying cause of this attenuation is the geometric spreading of the field lines. Overall, both electric and gravitational fields weaken with increasing distance from their sources.
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Do electric fields attenuate in space?

If so what causes the attenuation?
 
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I am not sure what you are looking for. In general fields spread out and therefore attenuate, following an inverse square law.
 
When I move away from a planet farther into space, its gravitational pull on me decreases right?

Would you say that the gravitational field is attenuated in space?
What would be causing this attenation?
 
the_emi_guy said:
When I move away from a planet farther into space, its gravitational pull on me decreases right?

Would you say that the gravitational field is attenuated in space?
What would be causing this attenation?

Inverse square law.
 
the_emi_guy said:
When I move away from a planet farther into space, its gravitational pull on me decreases right?

Would you say that the gravitational field is attenuated in space?
What would be causing this attenation?

We can visualize the strength of a field by thinking of field lines. Near the source of the field the field lines are all very dense. As the distance from the object increases the density of the field lines falls off in accordance with the inverse square law. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverse-square_law
 
Thank you for your responses.
 
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