ELECTRIC FORCE

& ELECTRIC FIELD

 ELECTRIC FIELD
An electric field is a region of space where a charged
object experiences a force due to its charge.

electric force per unit charge on any “test charge”.

ELECTRIC FIELD LINES

A curve which shows the direction of an electric field
when we draw a tangent at its point
DIRECTION OF AN ELECTRIC FIELD

The electric field from an isolated positive The electric field from an isolated negative
charge charge

The electric field direction is always away from positive source

charge and towards negative source charge
The electric field direction is always away from positive source
charge and towards negative source charge
 RULES APPLY TO ELECTRIC FIELD LINES:
1. Lines begin and end only at charges (beginning at + charges, ending
at - charges) or at Infinity.
2. Lines are closer together where the field is stronger.
3. Larger charges have more field lines beginning or ending on them.
4. Electric Field lines never cross (since E must point in a definite
direction unless it is zero).
5. At any location, the direction of the electric field is tangent to the
electric field line that passes through that location.
ELECTRIC FIELD STRENGTH
q₁
F = k q₂
r²
F k q₁ 1
E =k = F= •
q r²q₂ q
kq
E=
r²
A +25μC point charge is placed at the origin. Calculate
the magnitude if the electric field produced by the
point charge 75cm to the right. What is the magnitude
of the force exerted by the field?

Answer: 4x10^5 N/C

 What is the magnitude and direction of the electric
field 4.52cm to the left of a 8.15mC negative charge?

Answer: 3.59x10^10 N/C