What is Field? Understanding its Nature and Properties

[SANGHERA.JAS]

HI,
I wanted to know what is field anyway, Is it wave, particle or some different sort of physical entity.

 

[Bob_for_short]

A field is a function of coordinates and time: f(r,t).

A particle (point-like particle) has three coordinates depending on t: r(t). It is a line in the 3D space.

A filed is normally defined in all points of space.

Example of a scalar filed: pressure in the atmosphere p(r,t).

Example of vector filed: wind velocity in the atmosphere V(r,t).

 

[SANGHERA.JAS]

Mr. Bob, I am very thankful to you about yours response. But sir I am not interested in the mathematical description but rather its physical description. e.g. whether em field really exist, or it is just a mathematical tool.

 

[Bob_for_short]

Yes, the EM field exists: it can be received by a radio, TV, etc. Sound waves are also a good example: we hear them at any place of space.

 

[SANGHERA.JAS]

Thank You Mr. Bob

 

[HallsofIvy]

More correctly, it is waves in the EM-field that are "received" by a radio, not the field itself!

 

[SANGHERA.JAS]

Yes your are right. But question still remains there. What are exact physical phenomenons working behind these so called force fields?

 

[skippy1729]

As for classical fields, one of my teachers, long ago, described them as an "influential domain of a source" (T.K.Ishii). I have always found this to be a satisfying non-mathematical description.

Skippy