Electric Field Intensity

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Electric field intensity


The strength of the electric field is measured using a quantity called the electric
field intensity. The greater the electrical field intensity the stronger the field. The
electrical field intensity (EE) is defined as:

The electric field intensity is the force on a unit positive charge placed
at that point in the field.

In a uniform field the electric field intensity is constant (the same at any point in
the field) while in a radial field the electric field intensity decreases as the distance
from the central charge increases.

Therefore for a radial field the electric field intensity distance d from a positive
charge of size Q coulombs is:

Radial field: EE = (1/4o)Q/d2

For a uniform field between two parallel plates separated by a distance d and with a
potential difference V between them the field is:

Uniform field: EE = V/d

the units for electric field intensity are Newtons per coulomb (NC -1).
Units for electric field intensity
An alternative unit for electric field intensity may be derived as follows.

Since Joules = Volts x coulombs = Newtons x metres (J = VC = Nm) we can write


NC-1 as [VC/m]C-1 = Vm-1. The electric field intensity may also be expressed in volts
per metre (Vm-1).

Using these units it is probably easier to get a feel of what electric field intensity is,
the change of voltage with distance (see later). The bigger the field the more
rapidly does the potential change with distance. Think about this if you are near a
Van de Graaff generator and your hair stands on end.

Example problem
Calculate the electric field at a distance of 2 m from a Van der Graaff generator carrying a
charge of 1.0x10-6 C. [This is roughly the charge you would expect on a 0.2 m diameter
sphere charged to 100 kV in air.)

Using and following equation and considering the charge as a point(!) :


EE = (1/4o)Q/d2
EE = (1/4o)1.0x10-6/22 = 9x109x1x10-6/4 = 2.25x1015 Vm-1.
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Keith Gibbs 2013

https://www.reference.com/science/electric-field-intensity-dfec7c0700e93d15#

FULL ANSWER

An electric charge builds an electric field and is known as the "source charge." The
intensity of this electric field can undergo measurement by any other charge that exists
in the general area. A test charge measures the electric field intensity, and it has a
charge expressed by the letter "q." When the test charge is set inside the electric field, a
force acts on that charge, either repulsive or attractive, and this force is expressed by
the letter "F." Defining the magnitude of this field requires knowing the force per charge
in place. So electric field intensity equals force divided by test charge.

It is always necessary to have two charges to encounter a particular force. Within


electricity, it takes two bodies to generate the repulsion or attraction response. However,
the final answer regarding intensity is not dependent on the size of the test charge.

http://www.physicstutorials.org/home/electrostatics/electric-field

Electric Field with Examples


Electric Field

A charged particle exerts a force on particles around it. We can call the influence of this force on

surroundings as electric field. It can be also stated as electrical force per charge. Electric field is represented

with E and Newton per coulomb is the unit of it.

Electric field is a vector quantity. And it decreases with the increasing distance.k=9.10 9Nm2/C2
Electric field cannot be seen, but you can observe the effects of it on charged particles inside electric
field.
To find the electric field vector of a charge at one point, we assume that as if there is a +1 unit of
charge there.
If you want to find the total electric field of the charges more than one, you should find them one by
one and add them using vector quantities.

Electric Field Lines


Motion path of the + charge in an electric field is called electric field line. Intensity of the
lines shows the intensity of the electric field. Pictures given below show the drawings
of field line of the positive charge and negative charge.

Electric field lines;


Are perpendicular to the surfaces
Never intercept
If the electric field lines are parallel to each other, we call this regular electric field and it can be
possible between two oppositely charged plates. E is constant within this plates and zero outside the plates.

We can find the E in these plates by connecting a power supply having potential difference V using
following formula;
Pictures given below show the path of lines of two same charges and two opposite charges.

Example: Find the electric field created by the charges A and B at point C in terms of k.q/d2?
Example: If
the electric
field at point A
is zero, find the
charge at point
D in terms of q.
Force Acting on a Charged Particle inside Electric Field

E=F/q

F=E.q where; F is the force acting on the charge inside the electric field E. Using this equation we can say

that;

If q is positive then F=+E.q and directions of Force and Electric Field are same

If q is negative then F=-E.q and directions of Force and Electric Field areopposite
E

Example: If the charge q having mass m is in equilibrium between the two plated having
distance d, find the potential difference of power supply.

Electric Field of a Conductor Sphere


There is a maximum electric field at surface of the sphere. As distance increases from the
surface, electric field decreases. Finally, as it seen from the picture, inside the conductor sphere
electric field is zero.
http://www.ie.itcr.ac.cr/acotoc/Maestria_en_Computacion/Sistemas_de_Comunicacio
n_II/Material/Biblio2/chapt02.pdf ------ chapter 2

http://formulas.tutorvista.com/physics/electric-field-formula.html

Electric Field Formula


Electric Field is the field produced by any electric charge around it whose influence is observed when
another charge is brought in that area where the field exists.

The force F experienced by electric charge q is gives the Electric field lines. The Electric Field formula is
given by
If q and Q are two charges in space separated by the distance r. The Electric force is given by

Substituting the electric force formula in the above electric field formula we get Electric Field Formula as

If the Voltage V across given distance r then electric field formula is given by
Electric field is measured in N/C. Electric Field formula is used to find Electric field of any number of point
charges given in space.

Electric Field Problems

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Below are some problems based on electric field which may be helpful for you.

Solved Examples
Question 1: A force of 3 N is acting on the charge 6 C at any point. Calculate the electric field
intensity at that point?
Solution:

Given: Force F = 3 N,
Charge q = 6 C
The Electric field is given by E = FqFq
= 3N6106C3N6106C

= 5 105 N/C.

Question 2: Find electric field at a distance of 1 A0 from the nucleus of Helium atom?
Solution:
Given: Charge in nucleus q = 2 1.6 10-19 C = 3.2 10-19 C.
Distance r = 10-10 m
The formula of electric field is given by E = Kqr2Kqr2

= 91093.21019(1010)291093.21019(1010)2

= 28.8 1010 N/c.

http://www.citycollegiate.com/coulomb3_XII.htm

ELECTRIC INTENSITY DUE TO A POINT CHARGE


www.citycollegiate.com
Consider a point charge q called SOURCE CHARGE placed at a point O in space. To find its
intensity at a point p at a distance r from the point charge we place a test
charge 'q'.

The force experienced by the test charge q will be:

F = Eq----(1)
According to coulomb's law the electrostatic force between them is given by:

Putting the value of 'F' we get : www.citycollegiate.com


This shows that the electric intensity due to a point charge is directly proportional to
the magnitude of charge q and inversely proportional to the square of distance.
EFFECT OF
DIELECTRIC
MEDIUM
If there is a medium of dielectric constant ( r) between the source charge and the field
charge,intensity at a point will decrease r times i.e.

VECTORIAL
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FORM

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