electric field strength
C2Technical/Scientific
Definition
Meaning
A physical quantity (vector) that measures the electric force per unit positive charge that would be experienced by a test charge placed at a given point in the field.
The magnitude of the electric field vector (E-field) at a specific location, expressed in volts per metre (V/m). It describes how strong the electric influence is at that point.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a strictly defined physical concept, not used metaphorically. It is the magnitude of the electric field vector, not the vector itself. Often simply called "field strength" in context. The term "electric field intensity" is a historical synonym.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling follows regional norms (e.g., metre vs. meter). Pronunciation of "field" may have a subtle vowel difference.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations.
Frequency
Used with equal frequency in scientific/engineering contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The electric field strength [VERB] at a point...[NOUN] creates an electric field strength of [NUMBER] V/m.The electric field strength due to [SOURCE] is...Calculate the electric field strength [PREPOSITION] the centre.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in physics and electrical engineering lectures, textbooks, and research papers.
Everyday
Rarely used, except in popular science explanations.
Technical
Fundamental term in electromagnetics, circuit design, antenna theory, and high-voltage engineering.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A high electric field strength can make your hair stand on end.
- The electric field strength near a lightning strike is enormous.
- Engineers measured the electric field strength around the power line to ensure safety.
- The electric field strength decreases rapidly as you move away from the charged object.
- To find the force on a charge, you must multiply the charge by the electric field strength at its location.
- The experiment involved mapping the electric field strength throughout the cavity resonator.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a map showing how strongly a positive charge would be pushed at every spot. The 'strength' of that push at a single spot is the Electric Field Strength.
Conceptual Metaphor
The electric field is like an invisible landscape of hills and valleys; the field strength is the steepness of the slope at any point, determining how quickly a ball (test charge) would roll.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating "сила электрического поля" as "electric field force". The correct term is "напряжённость электрического поля", which maps directly to "electric field strength".
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with electric potential or voltage.
- Using it as a synonym for the electric field vector itself (which has direction).
- Forgetting the units (V/m).
- Incorrectly saying "electric field's strength" (the possessive is not standard).
Practice
Quiz
What are the correct SI units for electric field strength?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Electric field strength is the *magnitude* of the electric field vector, so it is a scalar quantity. The full vector is the 'electric field'.
The electric field (E) is a vector with both magnitude and direction. Electric field strength refers specifically to its magnitude (size), measured in V/m.
In a uniform field, electric field strength (E) equals the voltage (V) divided by the distance (d): E = V/d. More generally, it is the negative gradient of the electric potential.
No. As a magnitude, it is always a positive number (or zero). However, the electric field *vector* can have negative components depending on the coordinate system.