An Electric Field (EF) is a force exerted by an electric charge on other charges in its vicinity. The strength of this force is proportional to the magnitude of the charge, and it decreases with distance from the charge according to an inverse square law. The direction of the force is given by Coulomb’s law, which states that like charges repel and unlike charges attract.
The electric field can be represented mathematically as a vector quantity, with each point in space having a corresponding value for the Electric field vector. This vector points in the direction that a positive test charge would be pushed if placed at that point in space. The SI Unit for measuring electric fields is volts per meter (V/m).
Electric fields are created by stationary or moving electrically charged particles. When charges are not moving, we say they create static electric fields. An example of this would be when you rub your hair with a balloon and bring it near someone else’s hair – their hair will be attracted to yours! If the charges are moving, we call it an electromagnetic field; examples include radio and light waves.