Electric Forces and Fields

Prepared by Royce Allen F. Rañeses

 Field
A region in which each point is affected by a force.

• One way to think about this force is as an “action-

at-a distance” force—that is, as a force that acts
across empty space without needing any matter
(such as a push rod or a rope) to transmit it
through the intervening space.
A: Modifies the properties of the space around it.
B: Senses how space has been modified at its
position.

Ex. Gravitational Field

 𝑚1 𝑚2 𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹=𝐺 2
𝐹=𝑘 2
𝑟 𝑟
𝐹 𝑞2
=𝑘 2
𝑞1 𝑟

𝐹
𝐸=
𝑞1
Electric Field
We first envision that body A, as a
result of the charge that it carries,
somehow modifies the properties of
the space around it. Then body B, as
a result of the charge that it carries,
senses how space has been modified
at its position. The response of body
B is to experience the force
Electric Field
Charged body A produces or causes
an electric field at point P (and at all
other points in the neighborhood).
This electric field is present at P even
if there is no charge at P; it is a
consequence of the charge on body A
only.
Electric Field
A point charge 𝒒𝟎 is then placed at
point P, it experiences the force
𝑭𝟎 . We take the point of view that
this force is exerted on 𝒒𝟎 by the field
at P. Thus the electric field is the
intermediary through which A
communicates its presence to 𝒒𝟎 .
Because the point charge 𝒒𝟎 would
experience a force at any point in the
neighborhood of A, the electric field
that A produces exists at all points in
the region around A.
Electric Field
The electric force on a charged body is exerted by the electric field
created by other charged bodies.
Electric Field
Magnitude of electric field of a point charge
1 𝑞
𝐸=
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 2

Electric field of a point charge

1 𝑞
𝐸= 2
𝑟
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟
Electric Field
We have emphasized calculating the electric field at a certain point. But since
E can vary from point to point, it is not a single vector quantity but rather an
infinite set of vector quantities, one associated with each point in space.
Example
(a) Find E 1.0 m away from a +1-C charge. Represent E schematically.
(b) Find E 1.0 m away from a –1-C charge. Represent E schematically.
Seatwork
Draw the net electric field at the center of:
(a) A line segment of length 1.0 m with a +1.0C charge and a –1.0C
charge at its endpoints;
(b) An equilateral triangle of side length 1.0 m with alternating +1.0C, –
1.0C, and +1.0C charges placed at its vertices;
(c) A square of side length 1.0 m with alternating +1.0C, –1.0C, +1.0C,
and –1.0C charges placed at its vertices
Calculate the magnitude and determine the direction of the net
electric field at the center of each of the above configurations.