What is an electric field?
Answer
An electric field is the region around a charge in which another charge experiences an electric force, measured as force per unit positive charge.
The working
Definition
An electric field is the space around a charged body where its influence, in the form of an electric force, can be felt by other charges.
Field intensity
The electric field E at a point equals the force experienced per unit positive test charge, that is E = F ÷ q₀.
Vector and unit
It is a vector quantity directed away from a positive charge and towards a negative charge, with SI unit N/C or V/m.
Representation
Electric fields are pictured using field lines, whose closeness indicates the strength of the field at that region.
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