is

defined as the electric force per unit charge. an influence produced by an electric charge on other charges in its vicinity. is a vector field that permeates the space around electrical charge.

FORMULA IN GETTING THE ELECTRIC FIELD

The electric field (E) is derived in the same way from the equation:

where:

Q = electric force of one object (C), q = electric force of the other object (C) d = distance between the two objects (m)

However, electric field E is a little bit different from gravitational field g. Gravitational force depends on mass, whereas electric force does not depend on mass. Instead, electric force depends on charges on both objects.
By rearranging the formula, we get:

Electric field (E) for Q:

Electric field for q:

Let's divide the electric force (F) by charge q:

Therefore, the electric field tells us the force per unit charge.

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
1.

A uniform electric field of magnitude 30 N / C is directed downward. What are the magnitude and the direction of the force on a + 4.0 C charge placed in this electric field?

SOLUTION:
The electric field is defined as the electric force divided by the magnitude of the test charge, so if we multiply both sides of the equation by the magnitude of the test charge we can determine the force.

ELECTRIC FIELD LINES

An electric field can be visualized on paper by drawing lines of force, which give an indication of both the size and the strength of the field. Lines of force are also called field lines.

The direction of the field is taken to be the direction of the force it would exert on a positive test charge. The electric field is radially outward from a positive charge and radially in toward a negative point charge.

ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL
ENERGY
a

charge due to its location in an electric field a charged object can have potential energy by virtue of its location in an electric field if the charge is released, it will accelerate in a direction away from the sphere and its electrical potential energy will transform into kinetic energy

FORMULA IN GETTING THE ELECTRICAL

POTENTIAL ENERGY

where K is Coulombs constant.

POTENTIAL
DIFFERENCE
is

measured in volts (V). A potential difference of 1 V means that 1 joule of work is done per coulomb of charge. ( 1 V = 1 J C-1)

FORMULA IN GETTING THE POTENTIAL

DIFFERENCE

where: V = potential difference in volts (V) W = work done or energy transferred in joules (J) Q = charge in coulombs (C)

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
1.

A charge of magnitude -3.0 x 10-6 C is moved through a potential difference of 80 volts. Calculate the work done on the charge.

SOLUTION

The potential difference can be calculated by dividing the work done by the size of the charge.

Multiplying both sides of the equation by the size of the charge allows us to calculate the work done.