I don't understand electric fields.

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SUMMARY

The electric field is defined by the equation E = F/q, where q approaches zero to minimize the test charge's influence on surrounding charges. This definition allows for the use of the equation qE = F for all charges, as long as the test charge is sufficiently small to avoid altering the existing electric field. If the electric field produced by the test charge becomes significant, the interactions differ, necessitating a more complex analysis. Additionally, factors proportional to 1/r may need to be considered due to disturbances caused by photons on charged particles.

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  • Basic knowledge of electrostatics
  • Awareness of photon interactions with charged particles
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  • Research the effects of photon interactions on charged particles
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silenzer
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According to my textbook, the electrical field is defined as E = F/q where q --> 0, because we want the test charge to affect the other charges around it in the least possible way. It then goes on to say that qE = F is true for charges not strong enough to move the other charges. Why is that, if the electrical field was defined very specifically? Why can I use qE = F for all charges, as if the q wasn't a test charge all along?
 
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They just define it that way to say that the charge q is small enough not to affect the electric field already in place. If the electric field generated by q was comparable to E, then they would interact differently than they do in this situation.
 
yes.he is correct. furthermore,for proper studies an extra factor which is proportional to 1by r may arise..due to the disturbace by photon on the charge particle..
 

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