1. What is the Electric Field Equation?

The electric field equation \( E = \frac{k \cdot Q}{r^2} \) describes the electric field strength at a distance from a point charge. It's fundamental in electrostatics and helps understand how charges interact in space.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the electric field equation:

Where:

• \( E \) — Electric field strength (V/m)
• \( k \) — Coulomb's constant (8.98755×10⁹ N·m²/C²)
• \( Q \) — Point charge (Coulombs)
• \( r \) — Distance from charge (meters)

Explanation: The equation shows that electric field strength decreases with the square of distance from the charge and is directly proportional to the charge magnitude.

3. Importance of Electric Field Calculation

Details: Calculating electric fields is essential for designing electrical systems, understanding electromagnetic phenomena, and analyzing charge distributions in physics and engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter Coulomb's constant (default is 8.9875517873682×10⁹), charge in Coulombs, and distance in meters. All values must be positive (except charge can be negative for direction).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Coulomb's constant?
A: It's the proportionality constant in Coulomb's law, approximately 8.98755×10⁹ N·m²/C², derived from the electric constant.

Q2: Does the sign of charge matter?
A: Yes, it determines the direction of the field (toward negative, away from positive charges), though this calculator shows magnitude only.

Q3: What are typical electric field values?
A: Varies widely - from ~100 V/m near power lines to millions of V/m in lightning or lab conditions.

Q4: When is this equation valid?
A: For point charges or spherically symmetric charge distributions in a vacuum (or approximately in air).

Q5: How does medium affect the field?
A: In dielectric materials, the field is reduced by the material's relative permittivity (εᵣ).