What Determines the Direction of an Electric Field?

AI Thread Summary
An electric field is defined as a region where a charged body experiences an electric force, influenced by the presence of other charges. The direction of the electric field is determined by the force experienced by a positive test charge, which is a standard convention in physics. This means that the field points away from positive charges and towards negative charges. The confusion often arises from the distinction between the forces between unlike charges versus like charges. Understanding this convention clarifies how electric fields are represented and analyzed in physics.
phy77
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I am a little confused with an electric field, Is it the kinda force between two particles positive and negative, or the force between two like charges? Then why is it that a positive charged particle can determine the direction of the field? i am a bit confused

thankyou
 
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Well an electric field is defined as any region in which a charged body experiences an electric force. Convention. The convention that physicists use is that they use a +ve test charge to determine the direction of an electric field.

[Electric field strength is given by E=F/Q]
 
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