# Relationship between electric forces

## Main Question or Discussion Point

I am wondering if there is some way for the force between two charges (calculated by Coloumb's law) and the force applied by a field on a charge.

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robphy
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malco97 said:
I am wondering if there is some way for the force between two charges (calculated by Coloumb's law) and the force applied by a field on a charge.

Sorry,

What I am trying to do is find out how the electric potential of a radial field equation is derived. I have found a derivation by using Coulomb's Law and the equations for electric force, work etc however I do not understand the equation completely. This is because I do not know if the force between two charges (Coulomb's Law) and the force exerted on a charge by a field can be compared.

Thanks.

Tide
They are equivalent. The force acting on a charge is related to the electric field by $\vec F = q \vec E$. In fact, that's how electric fields were defined.
Take Coulombs's law, separate a q, call the rest an electric field E defined by $$E = \frac{kQ}{r^2}$$.