Units of Electric Field
The electric field is a fundamental concept in physics, specifically in electromagnetism. It describes the force field surrounding electric charges, and it influences other charges within this field. To understand and quantify the electric field, we use specific units. The primary unit of the electric field is the volt per meter (V/m).
What are Units of Electric Field?
SI Unit of Electric Field
The electric field is a fundamental aspect of electromagnetism, describing how electric charges exert forces on each other. To accurately measure the electric field, we use the International System of Units (SI), which designates volt per meter (V/m) as the standard unit.
CGS Unit of Electric Field
In the Centimeter –Gram–Second(CGS) system, a different unit is used to measure the electric field compared to the SI system. The CGS unit for electric field is the statvolt per centimeter (statV/cm).
Formula of Electric Field
The formula for the electric field (E) is given by:
- E is the electric field,
- F is the force exerted by the field on a charge,
- q is the magnitude of the charge.
This formula calculates the electric field strength at a point, expressed in newtons per coulomb (N/C) or volts per meter (V/m).
List of Electric Field Units
| Unit | Symbol |
|---|---|
| Volt per meter | V/m |
| Newton per coulomb | N/C |
| Statvolt per centimeter | statV/cm |
Volt per meter (V/m)
The volt per meter is the SI unit of electric field strength. It represents the force of one newton per coulomb of charge that is exerted at a distance of one meter from the source of the charge. This unit is universally used in science and engineering to describe the intensity of an electric field.
Newton per coulomb (N/C)
The newton per coulomb is another expression for the electric field, directly relating the force exerted per unit charge. It is equivalent to one volt per meter, providing a clear measurement of how much electric force is applied per unit charge by an electric field.
Statvolt per centimeter (statV/cm)
The statvolt per centimeter is the CGS unit of electric field strength. It measures the electric field in the centimeter-gram-second system, where it quantifies the force exerted in statvolts (a CGS unit of electric potential) per centimeter. This unit is mainly used in physics and scientific research that employs the CGS system, providing an alternative to the more common SI units.
Conversion of Electric Field Units
| Unit | Volt per meter (V/m) | Newton per coulomb (N/C) | Statvolt per centimeter (statV/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volt per meter (V/m) | 1 V/m | 1 N/C | Approx. 299.792 statV/cm |
| Newton per coulomb (N/C) | 1 V/m | 1 N/C | Approx. 299.792 statV/cm |
| Statvolt per centimeter (statV/cm) | Approx. 0.00334 V/m | Approx. 0.00334 N/C | 1 statV/cm |
Volt per Meter to Newton per Coulomb
- Conversion: 1 newton per coulomb (N/C) = 1 volt per meter (V/m).
- Example: To convert 5 volts per meter to newtons per coulomb, use the equivalence.
- 5 V/m = 5 N/C
Volt per Meter to Statvolt per Centimeter
- Conversion: 1 statvolt per centimeter (statV/cm) ≈ 299.792 volt per meter (V/m).
- Example: To convert 100 volts per meter to statvolts per centimeter, divide by 299.792.
- 100 V/m / 299.792 ≈ 0.334 statV/cm
Newton per Coulomb to Volt per Meter
- Conversion: 1 volt per meter (V/m) = 1 newton per coulomb (N/C).
- Example: To convert 10 newtons per coulomb to volts per meter, use the equivalence.
- 10 N/C = 10 V/m
Newton per Coulomb to Statvolt per Centimeter
- Conversion: 1 statvolt per centimeter (statV/cm) ≈ 299.792 newtons per coulomb (N/C).
- Example: To convert 50 newtons per coulomb to statvolts per centimeter, divide by 299.792.
- 50 N/C / 299.792 ≈ 0.167 statV/cm
Statvolt per Centimeter to Volt per Meter
- Conversion: 1 volt per meter (V/m) ≈ 0.00334 statvolt per centimeter (statV/cm).
- Example: To convert 2 statvolts per centimeter to volts per meter, multiply by 299.792.
- 2 statV/cm × 299.792 = 599.584 V/m
Statvolt per Centimeter to Newton per Coulomb
- Conversion: 1 newton per coulomb (N/C) ≈ 0.00334 statvolt per centimeter (statV/cm).
- Example: To convert 3 statvolts per centimeter to newtons per coulomb, multiply by 299.792.
- 3 statV/cm × 299.792 = 899.376 N/C
FAQ’S
What units are used to measure electric field?
Units used to measure the electric field include the volt per meter (V/m) and the newton per coulomb (N/C), which directly quantify the field’s strength.
What is the ESA unit of electric field?
There seems to be a misunderstanding; there is no “ESA” unit of electric field. The standard unit is volt per meter (V/m).
What is the unit of E in physics?
In physics, the unit of the electric field (E) is commonly expressed as volt per meter (V/m), which measures the force exerted per unit charge.
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