Field strength refers to the magnitude or intensity of a physical field, such as an electric field or a magnetic field, at a specific point in space. It quantifies the force exerted per unit charge or per unit mass within the field.
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The field strength of an electric field is measured in newtons per coulomb (N/C).
The field strength of a magnetic field is measured in tesla (T) or newtons per ampere-meter (N/A·m).
Field strength decreases with the square of the distance from the source, following the inverse-square law.
The direction of the field strength vector is determined by the type of field and the orientation of the source.
Field strength is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
Review Questions
Explain how field strength is related to the force experienced by a charged particle within an electric field.
The field strength of an electric field is directly proportional to the force experienced by a charged particle within that field. Specifically, the force exerted on the charged particle is equal to the product of the particle's charge and the electric field strength at the particle's location. This relationship is described by the equation $\vec{F} = q \vec{E}$, where $\vec{F}$ is the force, $q$ is the charge, and $\vec{E}$ is the electric field strength.
Describe how the field strength of an electric field or magnetic field varies with distance from the source.
The field strength of both electric and magnetic fields decreases with the square of the distance from the source, following the inverse-square law. This means that as the distance from the source doubles, the field strength decreases by a factor of four. This inverse relationship between field strength and distance is a fundamental characteristic of these fields and is a result of the way the fields propagate through space. Understanding this relationship is crucial for analyzing the behavior of charged particles and magnetic materials within these fields.
Analyze the relationship between the direction of the field strength vector and the orientation of the source in an electric or magnetic field.
The direction of the field strength vector in an electric or magnetic field is determined by the orientation of the source. In an electric field, the field strength vector points radially outward from a positive charge and radially inward towards a negative charge. In a magnetic field, the field strength vector follows the direction of the magnetic lines of flux, which are determined by the orientation of the magnetic poles. The ability to visualize and understand the relationship between the field strength vector and the source orientation is essential for interpreting the behavior of charged particles and magnetic materials within these fields.