How does one define an electric field?

AI Thread Summary
An electric field is defined through the Maxwell Equations, which describe how electric charges interact. A common mathematical representation is E = kQ/r^2, where E is the electric field strength, k is Coulomb's constant, Q is the charge, and r is the distance from the charge. Another definition involves the force per unit charge, expressed as F/q = E, indicating the force experienced by a charge in an electric field. The discussion also highlights that electric fields can be uniform, such as between parallel plates, and emphasizes that they represent areas where charges experience forces. Overall, the electric field is fundamentally linked to the presence of electric charges and their interactions.
ashutosha
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How does one define an electric field??

How does one define an electric field??
 
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ashutosha said:
How does one define an electric field??

Via the Maxwell Equations.

{ambiguous questions get ambiguous answers}

Zz.
 


ZapperZ said:
Via the Maxwell Equations.

{ambiguous questions get ambiguous answers}

Zz.

What are the maxwell equations??
 


I think the simplest way to define an electric field is mathematically. That equation is E=kQ/r^2

E is electric field in Newtons per coulomb
k is the coulombs constant which is 9E9 (the units are Nm^2/C^2)
Q is the present charge in C
r is the distance away from the charge in meters

That's the simplest way to define an electric field I think.

The other way to define an electric field is by using this equation

F/q=E

F is the force between 2 electric particles in Newtons
q is the charge measured in coulombs

hope this helps
 


The force per unit charge that a positive charge would experience if it were to be inserted into a region of space, where the force is caused by the existence of one or more other charges.

Hover said: E=kQ/r^2
But it wasn't part of the question to assume that the field is caused by one point charge. For example, between two charged parallel plates the electric field is close to being a set of parallel lines with constant magnitude.
 
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An electric field is an area of space where something experiences a force due to its charge
 


nooma said:
An electric field is an area of space where something experiences a force due to its charge

True, but the same can be said about a magnetic field too in the case of moving charges.
 


This may be true, but that is the formal definiton of an electric field
 
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