Give the physical meaning of an electric field.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) The electric field at a point in the space around a system of charges is defined as the force experienced by a unit positive test charge placed at that point,without disturbing the original system of charges.
Electric field is a characteristic property of the system of charges itself and is independent of the test charge used to measure it.
The field is defined at every point in space and its magnitude and direction may vary from point to point.
Since force is a vector quantity,the electric field is also a vector field.
The accelerated motion of charges produces electromagnetic waves,which propagate through space with the speed of light $c$.
Thus,electric and magnetic fields can be detected by their effects,specifically the forces they exert on charges.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ thin non-conducting ring of radius $r$ has a linear charge density $\lambda = \lambda_0 \cos \phi$,where $\lambda_0$ is a constant and $\phi$ is the azimuthal angle. The magnitude of the electric field strength at the centre of the ring is

Two charges $9e$ and $3e$ are placed at a distance $r$. At what distance will the electric field be zero?

$A$ cube of side $L$ has point charges $+q$ located at its seven vertices and $-q$ at remaining one vertex. The electric field at its centre is found to be $|E|=\alpha\left(\frac{q}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0 L^2}\right)$. The magnitude of constant $\alpha$ is

The electric field intensity at a point in vacuum is equal to

$A$ deuteron and an $\alpha$-particle are placed $1\,\mathring{A}$ apart in air. The magnitude of the intensity of the electric field due to the deuteron at the position of the $\alpha$-particle is:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo