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It is often convenient to suppose that the presence of an electric charge or distribution of charges influences the space around it and sets up an electric field, which in turn creates an electric force on any charged particles with it. This field is considered to have a magnitude and a direction at each point in space, and each particular charge has its own contribution tot the field. The electric field is particularly useful when it is inconvienent to add the effects of individual charges to determine the net or total electrical force on a charged body. |
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The electric field at a given point is described as the force per unit of charge.
E :: electric vield vector: units of Newton /Coulomb
F:: Electrical force. This is the force on a charged body due to the electrical field, given in Newtons
q:: Charge of the body. The individual charges of the bodies which create the electrical field are all combined in the field. It is generally assumed that this charge does not significantly affect the distribution of the charges that create the field, given in Coulombs
F :: Force between two charged bodies.
q1:: charge of first body
q2 :: charge of second body
r :: distance between the two bodie
e0 :: 6.854 187 817 ... *10-12 F m-1
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F = E q. |
The algebraic sign of the charge is included in this law, which expresses the rule that like charges repel, unlike charges attract.
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This will be connected to other areas of science including other areas of physics and applications to chemistry, astronomy, earth science, and biology. |
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This will be connected to personal studies, anthropology, culture, social institutions, sociology, and history as the site develops further. |
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