Electric field due to a charged particle at a random point in space

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field at any point in space, even in the absence of charged particles. The standard equation for electric field, E = kq/r^2, applies to the source charge q and is valid regardless of the presence of a test charge q0. The force experienced by q0 when placed in the electric field is given by F = q0E. Clarifications were made regarding the inclusion of q0 in the electric field equation, emphasizing its role in calculating the force rather than the field itself. Understanding these concepts is crucial for accurately analyzing electric fields in various scenarios.
Lukasz
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Can we calculate the electric field at any given point in space even if there are no charged particles there? The equation for electric field given in a standard EM course is kqq0/q0r^2 where q0 is a test charged impacted by the electric field. How about just any point in space?
 
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Lukasz said:
The equation for electric field given in a standard EM course is kqq0/q0r^2 where q0 is a test charged impacted by the electric field.

No, that's the equation for the electric force acting on q0.

The electric field produced by the source charge q, at the location of q0, is E = kq/r2, regardless of whether q0 is actually at that location or not.

When you put q0 at that location, it experiences a force F = q0E.
 
I think I posted an equation for an electric field as I included q0 in both nominator and denominator, and thanks for explaining, I thought so.
 
Oops, I saw the q0 in the numerator but missed the one in the denominator. :blushing:
 
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