How do you find the direction of an electric field at a point?

The electric field is defined as the electric force per unit charge. The direction of the field is taken to be the direction of the force it would exert on a positive test charge . The electric field is radially outward from a positive charge and radially in toward a negative point charge.

How does the electric field depend on the distance from the center of the charge distribution?

The strength of an electric field as created by source charge Q is inversely related to square of the distance from the source . This is known as an inverse square law. Electric field strength is location dependent, and its magnitude decreases as the distance from a location to the source increases.

How many direction can the electric field at a point have?

Electric field lines always point away from a positive charge and towards a negative point. In fact, electric fields originate at a positive charge and terminate at a negative charge. Also, field lines never cross each other. If they do, it implies that there are two directions for the electric field at that point.

How does the strength of the electric field depend on the distance from the center of the dipole?

The electric field strength due to a dipole, far away, is always proportional to the dipole moment and inversely proportional to the cube of the distance .

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts

In this article, we shall discuss the electric field due to charged particles at a point and the field direction, and several facts.

The electric field at a point is the resultant field generated by all the charged particles surrounding that point and the intensity of the field is directly proportional to the source charge and the distance of separation of the point from the source.

How to Find Electric Field at a Point?

The electric field produced by the charged particle can either be attractive or repulsive depending upon the charge of the particle.

The electric field at any point around this region formed by the charged particle is directly proportional to the charge that it carries and inversely proportional to the distance of separation between the charge and the point in consideration.

The electric field at a point due to the presence of a charge q₁ is simply given by the relation

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (1)

Where q₁ is a charge producing the electric field

r is a distance separating the charge and the point

Incase if there is a charge present at a point P then we know that the electric force between the two charged particles is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (2)

Where q₁ is a charged particle

And q₂ is a particle at a point P in an electric field formed by particle q₁

r is a distance separating two particles

The same is depicted in the below diagram

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (3)

The direction of the electric field is shown in the diagram, since the particle at point P is oppositely charged the electric force is an attractive force.

Then the electric field formed by the particle q₁ at a point P is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (4)

This is a formula to calculate the electric field at any point present in the field developed by the charged particle.

Problem 1: What is the electric field at a point due to the charge of 5C which is 5cm away?

Given:

q₁=5C

r=5cm=0.05m

The electric field due to charge q₁=5C is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (5)

9*10⁹*5C/(0.05)²

45*10⁹/0.0025

18*10¹²N/C

The electric field at a point is 18*10¹²N/C

How to Find Net Electric Field at a Point?

The net electric field at a point is a sum of all the electric fields exerting at a point.

The net electric field can be calculated by adding all the electric fields acting at a point, the electric fields can be attractive or repulsive based on the charge that generates the electric field.

Consider the following diagram showing differently charged particles q₁, q₂, q₃, and q₄ surrounded by the point P separated at different distances r₁, r₂, r₃, and r₄ respectively from the point.

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (6)

Now here, the electric field due to charge q₁ is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (7)

The same way, the electric field due to charge q₂ is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (8)

The electric field due to charge q₃ is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (9)

The electric field due to charge q₄ is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (10)

Then the net electric field at point P is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (11)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (12)

If there are ‘n’ numbers of charges, then the net electric field at a point due to all the charges is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (13)

How to Find Electric Field Strength at a Point?

The electric field strength is a field intensity and potential of a field at a point.

The electrostatic force can be calculated as the ratio of the electrostatic force and the charge on which it the exerting the force or else the charge produces the electric field at a certain point separated by some distance.

Problem 2: What is the electric field strength at a point separated at a distance of 0.25 m from the charge of +2C?

Given: q=+2C

r= 0.25 m

We have,

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (14)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (15)

=9*10⁹*2/(0.25)²

9*10⁹*2/0.0625

228*10⁹N/C

Hence the electric field at a point 0.25m far away from the charge of +2C is 228*10⁹N/C

How to Find Electric Field Intensity at a Point?

It can be calculated as the ratio of the electric force experienced at a point per unit charge of the particle and is given by the relation E=F/q

The more the electrostatic force imposed on the charges or at a point by the source particle, the more will be the intensity of the electric field space generated by the charged particle. The intensity of the field will be a maximum when the spacing between the point and the source will be a minimum and if the source charge carries the higher charge.

How to Find Direction of Electric Field at a Point?

We can find the direction of the electric field at a point by introducing the test charge in the electric field.

Basically, the direction of the positively charged particle is radially outward whereas, that of the negatively charged particle the direction of the field is radially inward.

On introducing the point charge in the electric field region, the charge will show sudden drift and align itself in the direction of the field this indicates the direction of the electric field produced by the source charge.

If we place the positive test charge in the field, then the direction of the electric field is as shown in the below diagram:-

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (16)

And that of the negative point charge, the direction of the electric field is radiating inwards as shown below:-

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (17)

If we place two oppositely charge carriers in an electric space then the direction of the field will be running from the positively charged particle to the negative charge carrier.

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (18)

If there is two charges having similar charges are placed in a field, then the repulsive force will act on each of the charges. Suppose we have two positive charges, then the repulsive force will exert push force on each other.

How to Find Magnitude of Electric Field at a Point?

The magnitude of the electric field at a point is the net electric force experienced on the unit charge at that point.

The magnitude of an electric field is calculated using a formula

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (19)

and the magnitude of the field is always positive irrespective of the sign of the charge.

What are the magnitude and the direction of the electric field at a point away from the source charge at a distance of 15cm having a charge of -15mC?

Given: q=-15mC

r=15cm=0.15m

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (20)

=9*10⁹Nm²C^-2*[-15*10^-6]/(0.15)²

=135*10³/0.0225

=6*10⁶N/C

The magnitude of the electric field is 6*10⁶N/C

Electric Field at a Point on Equatorial Line

The equatorial line is a line perpendicular to the axial line of the dipole connecting the two oppositely charged carriers.

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (21)

Consider a point ‘P’ on the equatorial line, the electric field at point P due to charge –q is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (22)

And the electric field at point P due to charge +q is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (23)

The magnitude of both the electric field is equal,

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (24)

We can calculate the net electric field at a point P by applying the Parallelogram Law of vector addition.

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (25)

[E₁]=[E₂]

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (26)

E=2E₁Cosθ—-(5)

Substituting value for ‘E’ we have,

From triangle APO, we find the value of Cosθ as

Cosθ=l/√r²=l²

Using this in the above equation,

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (27)

p=2ql

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (28)

For r>>>l,

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (29)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (30)

Electric Field at a Point on Axial Line of Dipole

The dipole is formed due to the separation of the oppositely charges at some distance.

The axial point is the center point between the two charges forming electric dipoles, our aim is the find the electric field on this axial line joining the point at the middle of the two charges.

Consider two charges +q and –q and an axial point between the two located at point ‘O’. The distance between the two charges be ‘2l’. Let ‘p’ be the point on the axial line.

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (31)

The electric field intensity at point P due to charge +q is

E=1/4π∈₀*q/(r-l)²

And the electric field intensity at point P due to charge -q is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (32)

Hence, the net electric field at a point P on the axial line of dipole E=E₁+E₂

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (33)

q/4π∈₀*q(1/(r-l)²-1/(r+l)²)

q/4π∈₀(4rl/(r²-l²)²)

We know that

Electric moment

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (34)

Therefore,

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (35)

If r>>>l, then

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (36)

Electric Field at a Point on Equatorial Plane

Consider an equatorial plane standing at an axial point ‘O’. The magnitude of the electric field at a point ‘P’ on the plane is equal due to the charges +q and –q.

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (37)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (38)

The net electric field at a point is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (39)

From eqn (6), we know that

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (40)

The total electric field is opposite to the electric dipole and hence the net electric field is negative.

For large distance i.e. r>>a,

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (41)

Hence, the electric field at equatorial plane is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (42)

Electric Field at a Point on the Axis of Charged Ring

Consider a uniformly charged ring of radius ‘r’ and a small charged element dq on the ring. Let P be the point lying on the center axis of the charged ring at a distance ‘l’ from its center. Let θ be the angle formed on the axis and a line joining point P and the charge element.

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (43)

The net electric field is due to all the charges around the ring. The field perpendicular to the axis is zero hence the only component of the electric field that comes into consideration is the x-component.

The electric field element

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (44)

From the diagram

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (45)

Hence,

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (46)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (47)

Integrating this equation

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (48)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (49)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (50)

This is equal to the electric field at a point on the axis running from the center of the charged ring.

For large distances r>>>l,

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (51)

This equation gives the electric field at a point on the axis of the charged ring that has a large radius.

Electric Field at a Point due to a Point Charge

Consider a source charge Q producing the electric field

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (52)

Let q be the test charge placed in this field at a distance ‘r’ from the source charge.

The electric force between the two charges now produced is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (53)

The electric field due to a point charge is E=F/q

Which is equal to

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (54)

Q can be positive or negative depending upon the charge that it carries.

Electric Field at a Point due to Two Charges

If there are two charges Q₁ and Q₂ separated by some distance ‘r’ then the electric force between the two is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (55)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (56)

The electric field due to charge Q₁ at point P is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (57)

The electric field due to charge Q₂ at point P is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (58)

The net electric field at a point is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (59)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (60)

The electric field at a point depends upon the number of charges surrounding it and the electric force exerting on that point.

Electric Field Intensity at a Point in Between Two Parallel Sheets

Consider two parallel sheets having charge densities +σ and –σ separated by some distance.

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (61)

The electric field lines will be running from the positively charged plate to the negatively charged plate. The electric field is perpendicular to the plane sheet and the magnitude of the electric field is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (62)

Let P be the point between the two parallel sheets. The magnitude of the electric field is equal, and in the same direction as shown in the figure between the two plates hence the net electric field at point P is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (63)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (64)

This is the electric field intensity at a point between the two charged plates. At any point outside this charge parallel sheet, the electric field intensity is zero.

Frequently Asked Questions

If the net electrostatic force between the two charges +3C and -2C are placed at points A and B respectively separated at a distance of 10 fm then what is the distance of a point from A where the electric field strength is zero?

Given: q₁=+3C

q₂=-2C

d=10 fm

d-s=(10-s) fm

Let the electric field produced by charge q₁,E_b and the electric field produced by charge q₂be E_b

The point at which the electric field strength is zero is

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (65)

Solving this equation using quadratic formula

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (66)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (67)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (68)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (69)

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (70)

Separation can’t be negative, hence eliminating another part and considering only the positive term of the equation, we find

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (71)

Hence, the distance of a point from A where the electric field strength is zero is

d-s= 10-4.5=5.5 fm

Read more about Are Electric Field Lines Perpendicular?

Electric Field At A Point: Direction, Inside, Outside, Center, Several Facts - (2024)