Electric Field and Field Strength Electric Fields

Electric field
An electric field is a region in space where a Electric Field Lines lines
stationary charge experiences an electric force.
 go from high to low potential (start on a positive charge,
Electric Field Strength, E end on a negative charge)
The electric field strength E at a point is the  are perpendicular to surface of charge conductor
electric force per unit positive charge acting on  are smooth curves or lines that never touch or intersect
a small stationary charge placed at that point.  closer lines indicate a strong electric field
 the tangent to the field lines at a point indicates the
F direction of the electric field vector at that point.
E 
q equipotential lines
Relationship between E and Electric Potential, V
Uniform Electric Field The electric field strength at a point is  The electric potential at a point in an electric field is
numerically equal to the potential gradient at defined as the work done per unit positive charge by
s that point. an external agent in bringing a small test charge
E dV from infinity to that point without a change in the
direction of the electric E =
field points from high dr kinetic energy of the charge.
F Q potential to low  V = 0 at infinity
E  
q 4 0 r 2 is the same at all points
 field strength,
Electric Field Strength, E (vector) Electric Potential, V (scalar)
 potential, V decreases linearly along the field Unit: N C−1 or V m−1 Unit: V
 variation of E and V with distance s from the plate
Q dV Q
with higher potential: E  substitute Q without signs E = V substitute signs of Q
4  0 r 2
dr 4 0r
E V E points away from positive charge, towards negative charge

F = Eq Point Charges U = Vq

Electric Force, FE (vector) Electric Potential Energy, UE (scalar)

s s
Unit: N Unit: J

Qq Qq substitute signs of Q and q

 F  substitute Q,q without signs U 
4 0 r 2 4  0 r
dU
 charged particles with velocity component at right FE = 
Unlike charges attract. Like charges repel. dr U/J U/J
angles to the field will follow a parabolic path 0 r
Coulomb’s law: The magnitude of the force
 apply Kinematics (projectile motion) or/and
between two point charges is directly proportional
Conservation of Energy to the product of the charges and inversely Like charges Unlike charges 1
(total EK + UE = constant, where UE = Vq) proportional to the square of the distance between 0
r