[Electric Fields]

Electric Field When an object is placed in a region near a charged body, the object experiences a force. We call this region an electric field.

We can show electric fields by lines with arrows.

We can show electric fields by lines with arrows. Electric field lines

The direction of an electric field is given by the direction in which a positive charge would move when placed in the field. positive charge

positive charge positive charge

By definition, positive charge -- point outward negative charge -- point inward

Electric Field patterns

Electric Field patterns (+ & - )

Electric Field patterns (+ & - )

Electric field line rules The field lines start at positive charges and end at negative charges Field lines do not have branches and do not cross each other When the field is uniform (its strength and direction are constant), the lines are parallel. The density of field lines represent the strength of the electric field