I don't understand electric fields.

AI Thread Summary
The electric field is defined as E = F/q, where q approaches zero to minimize its effect on surrounding charges. This definition allows for the use of qE = F for all charges, despite q being a test charge, because it assumes the test charge does not significantly alter the existing electric field. If the test charge's electric field were comparable to the existing field, the interactions would differ. Additionally, in advanced studies, factors proportional to 1/r may emerge due to disturbances caused by photons on charged particles. Understanding these nuances is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of electric fields.
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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