M4 Electric Field

Flashcards summarizing key concepts related to Electric Fields in College Physics.

Electric Field

The area where electrical force can be experienced due to a charged body.

Electric Field Lines

Imaginary lines or curves drawn through a region of empty space indicating the direction of the electric field.

Coulomb’s Law

The law that describes the magnitude of the electric force between two charges.

Electric Dipole

A combination of two equal charges with opposite signs, creating a specific electric field pattern.

Direction of Electric Field

The electric field points away from positive charges and toward negative charges.

Electric Field Strength

The electric force exerted per unit positive charge at a given point in an electric field.

Magnitude of Electric Field

Given by the formula E = F/q, where E is electric field strength, F is the force, and q is charge.

Net Electric Field

The vector sum of all electric fields produced by multiple charges at a location.

Properties of Electric Field Lines

1) Indicate the field direction; 2) Proportional to electric field strength; 3) Start on positive and end on negative charges.

Test Charge

A small charge used to measure the electric field without disturbing it.