Electric fields

Learning objectives ：
• Describe an electric field as a region in which an
electric charge experiences a force

• State that the direction of an electric field at a

point is the direction of the force on a positive
charge at that point

• Describe simple electric field patterns, including

the direction of the field:
• (a) around a point charge
• (b) around a charged conducting sphere
• (c) between two oppositely charged parallel
Subject

1. Concept of an electric field

2. Electric field of a point charge

3. Other electric fields

Field Region / space / range/area
You experience gravitational force
in a gravitational field
m

Mm
W G 2
R
R M
 Electrostatic
force

Q q F
+ +

Charge Q sets up an
‘electric field’ around it.

An electric field is a region of space

where a charge experiences a force.
Positive point charge
F’
+ F’
electric field lines
F’ + F +
F Test charge (+)
F +
+ +
The arrows shows
F F’
F’
+
F
+ + + + the direction in
which the force on a
+ + F positive (+) charge
+
F would act .
+ F + F’
F’
+
F’
Field lines point radially outward.
Negative point charge

Field lines point radially

inward.

_
The electric field lines for two identical
positive point charges

+ +
The electric field lines for two identical
negative point charges

- -
The electric field lines for two point charges that
have the same magnitude but opposite signs
 Uniform
- + electric field
 Electric fields

Direction: the direction of force on a positive charge

at that point

Strength: the closer the lines, the larger the electric

field strength
 Electric field strength*

The electric field strength at a point is the force on

per unit positive charge
Energy in a radial field*

Electric Potential V at a
distance r from a charge
Q: