Issue w/ electric field definition

In summary, an electric field is the region of space surrounding electrically charged particles and time-varying magnetic fields. The fields need to be time varying in order to create potential with charged particles and moving magnetic fields. Light is a frequency of electromagnetic radiation, and is made up of electric and magnetic fields occurring at right angles to one another, as per quantum mechanics and Maxwell's equations.
  • #1
FOIWATER
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"an electric field is the region of space surrounding electrically charged particles and time-varying magnetic fields"

Why do the fields need to be time varying?

Additionally, if light is a frequency of electromagnetic radiation, and EM is made of magnetic and electric fields occurring at right angles to one another, is that what light is made up of? electric and magnetic fields?... obviously it's more complicated but what am I missing.
 
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  • #2
you are missing quantum mechanics!

an electric field is a vector field of electric potential, and you get potential with charged particles. you also get potential with moving magnetic fields, as per faradays law (or is it amperes law?). i think the "and" in your quote could be replaced by "or" and retain its meaning.

as far as light goes, see this thread, or quantum theory
 

1. What is an electric field?

An electric field is a physical quantity that describes the influence that an electric charge has on other charges in its vicinity. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

2. How is an electric field defined?

An electric field is defined as the force per unit charge experienced by a small positive test charge placed at a specific point in space. Mathematically, it is represented as E = F/q, where E is the electric field, F is the force, and q is the test charge.

3. What is the difference between an electric field and an electric potential?

An electric field is a vector quantity that describes the strength and direction of the force exerted on a charged particle, while an electric potential is a scalar quantity that describes the energy that a charge would have at a particular point in the electric field. In other words, the electric potential is like the height in a gravitational field, while the electric field is like the slope of the terrain.

4. How is an electric field created?

An electric field is created by any object with a net electric charge. This charge can be positive or negative, and the strength of the electric field depends on the magnitude of the charge and the distance from the charge.

5. How is an electric field measured?

The strength of an electric field can be measured using a device called an electric field meter, which consists of two parallel plates separated by a small distance. The meter measures the force experienced by a test charge placed between the plates, and this can be used to calculate the electric field strength.

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