electric field intensity
LowTechnical/Scientific
Definition
Meaning
The force per unit charge that a stationary, positive test charge would experience at a given point in an electric field.
A vector quantity representing the magnitude and direction of the electric force acting per unit positive charge, a fundamental concept in electrostatics and electromagnetic theory used to quantify field strength.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used interchangeably with 'electric field strength'. It is a vector, not a scalar. In more advanced contexts, it is often simply called the 'electric field' (E).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences. 'Electric field intensity' is standard in both. Minor spelling differences (e.g., 'metre' vs. 'meter' for units) apply, not to the term itself.
Connotations
Identical technical meaning and formal register.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and highly specialized in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The electric field intensity [at/of/around] [a point/an object]An electric field intensity of [value] [unit]To determine/calculate/find the electric field intensityVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Core concept in physics and engineering lectures, textbooks, and research papers on electromagnetism.
Everyday
Virtually never used outside educational or professional scientific contexts.
Technical
Essential term in electrical engineering, physics, material science, and related technical documentation and calculations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The apparatus is used to map how the electric field intensity varies across the surface.
- We need to recompute the electric field intensity for the new configuration.
American English
- The software can plot how the electric field intensity changes over time.
- Engineers must often estimate the electric field intensity near power lines.
adjective
British English
- The electric field intensity measurement was crucial for the experiment.
- We analysed the electric field intensity distribution around the conductor.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is too complex for A2 level.
- A strong electric field intensity can be dangerous.
- Scientists measure electric field intensity.
- The electric field intensity around a charged sphere can be calculated using Coulomb's law.
- A higher voltage typically leads to a greater electric field intensity between the plates of a capacitor.
- Gauss's law provides a powerful method for determining the electric field intensity for symmetric charge distributions.
- The electric field intensity vector at point P was found to be 5.0 kV/m directed radially outward.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine intensity as the 'push' per unit charge. E = F/q: Intensity is the Force on a test charge divided by the size of that charge.
Conceptual Metaphor
A 'force field' map; intensity is the strength and direction of the arrows on that map at any point.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'электрическая интенсивность поля'. Use standard term 'напряжённость электрического поля'.
- Remember it's a vector (вектор), not just a number (скаляр).
Common Mistakes
- Treating it as a scalar quantity.
- Confusing it with electric potential or voltage.
- Omitting units (typically volts per metre/meter, V/m).
Practice
Quiz
What is the standard unit for electric field intensity?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In common technical parlance, yes. 'Electric field intensity' explicitly refers to the vector quantity E. Often, 'electric field' is used as shorthand for this same vector.
It is a vector quantity. It has both magnitude (strength) and direction.
F = qE, where F is the force on a point charge q, and E is the electric field intensity.
Primarily in university-level physics, electrical engineering courses, electromagnetic theory research, and technical standards related to electrical safety and equipment design.