LESSON 4

EE211

(iv) Field concept

o Definition
o Characteristics of electric Field Lines

Electric field concept

Definition
Electric field is defined as the electric force per unit charge.

- Its direction is 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.

- Electric field is denoted by ̅ , units in Newtons / coulomb (N/C) or volts/

meter (V/m)

Definitions

Field may be defined as a "condition in space emanating from an electric charge within
which an electric charge (test) experiences some force

Thus:
 Thus Electric field can be defined everywhere, except at the location of point
charges (where it diverges or converges to infinity)

 Mathematically, it can also be defined as electrostatic force (Newtons) per

unit charge (coulombs)

E = (N/C) (Electric Field)

or F = qE (N) (Electrostatic Force)

Characteristics of Electric Field Lines;

1
Electric field lines are useful for visualizing the electric field and have the following
characteristics;

 Field lines begin on positive charge and terminate on negative charge.

 They are parallel to the direction of the electric field at each point,( don’t
intersect)

 The density of the field lines is a measure of magnitude of the electric field
at any given point.

 The electrostatic field (lines with arrows) of a nearby positive charge (+)
causes the mobile charges in conductive objects to separate due
to electrostatic induction.

 Negative charges (blue) are attracted and move to the surface of the object
facing the external charge. Positive charges (red) are repelled and move to
the surface facing away.

 These induced surface charges are exactly the right size and shape so their
opposing electric field cancels the electric field of the external charge throughout the
interior of the metal.

 Therefore, the electrostatic field everywhere inside a conductive object is

zero, and the electrostatic potential is constant.

2
 Since E = where F=

Then E =

If we assume that all charges are of equal value, then

Then E = = since = ke

E = ke ke = electrostatic constant

Above formula gives value of electric field at point ‘r’ due to point charge q in the
vicinity (coulombs law)