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electric field

American  

noun

Electricity.
  1. a vector quantity from which is determined the magnitude and direction of the force electric force on a charged particle due to the presence of other charged particles, accelerated charged particles, or time-varying currents. E


electric field British  

noun

  1. a field of force surrounding a charged particle within which another charged particle experiences a force Compare magnetic field

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

electric field Scientific  
  1. The distribution in space of the strength and direction of forces that would be exerted on an electric charge at any point in that space. Electric fields themselves result directly from other electric charges or from changing magnetic fields. The strength of an electric field at a given point in space near an electrically charged object is proportional to the amount of charge on the object, and inversely proportional to the distance between the point and the object.

  2. See also electromagnetism electrostatic force


Etymology

Origin of electric field

First recorded in 1895–1900

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Through capacitive coupling, that charge may generate intense electric fields inside microscopic voids within fractured rock.

From Science Daily

Their work shows that the effect arises from how electrons scatter at interfaces, with this scattering controlled by both the magnetization and the electric field at the interface.

From Science Daily

The team found that the twisting comes from electroosmotic flow, the movement of water driven by electric fields inside the nanopore.

From Science Daily

Although the basic chemistry of water splitting is well understood under everyday conditions, far less is known about how water behaves inside electrochemical devices where powerful electric fields are present.

From Science Daily

When lithium niobate vibrates, it produces oscillating electric fields, and those electric fields can also trigger vibrations.

From Science Daily