Electric Field Definition
- An electric field is a region of space in which an electric charge “feels” a force
- Electric field strength (N C-1) is defined as the electric force per unit positive charge acting on a stationary point charge
Representing Electric Fields
- Electric field lines should always be drawn perpendicular to the source
- Therefore, the lines must touch the surface of the charge
- The field lines are directed from positive to negative
- Therefore, the field lines must be pointed away from the positive charge and towards the negative charge
How to represent electric fields around point charges
- A uniform electric field is a field of force in which the strength of the electric force is the same throughout
- In a non-uniform electric field:
- The strength increases where the lines of the field are closer to each other
- A weaker field is represented by the region where the lines of electric fields are further apart
Uniform and non-uniform electric fields
