FIELDS AND

FORCES
 FIELDS AND FORCES

The concept of a field is used to describe any

quantity that has a value for all points in space.
You can think of the field as the way forces are
transmitted between objects.
Charge creates an electric field that creates forces
on other charges.
FIELDS AND FORCES
FIELD LINES
FIELD LINES
FIELD LINES
FIELD LINES
FIELD LINES
FIELD LINES
 GRAVITATIONAL FIELD vs. ELECTRIC FIELD
• On the Earth’s surface, the gravitational field creates 9.8 N of
force on each kilogram of mass.
• With gravity, the strength of the field is in newtons per kilogram
(N/kg) because the field describes the amount of force per
kilogram of mass.
 GRAVITATIONAL FIELD vs. ELECTRIC FIELD
• With the electric field, the strength is in newtons per
coulomb (N/C).
• The electric field describes the amount of force per coulomb
of charge.
 ELECTRIC FIELD
Equations and Units:

Force
𝑭 (N)
Electric Field
𝑬=
(N/C)
𝒒
Charge
(C)
 CALCULATING ELECTRIC FIELD
You pull a wool sweater over your head, which charges as it
created friction with your cotton shirt. What is the electrical
field at a location where a piece of lint experiences a force of
as it flows?
 ELECTRIC FIELD
Equations and Units: Constant

𝒌𝒒
Electric Field
𝑬= 𝟐 Charge
(N/C)
𝒓 (C)

Distance
(m)
 CALCULATING DISTANCE

How far are you from a charge of when there is an

electrical field of 18.1 N/C?