Is electric field a scalar or a vector quantity? Why?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) The electric field is a $vector$ quantity.
It is defined as the force experienced by a unit positive test charge placed at a point in the field.
Mathematically, $\vec{E} = \frac{\vec{F}}{q_0}$.
Since force $(\vec{F})$ is a vector quantity and the electric field has both a specific magnitude and a definite direction (the direction of the force on a positive test charge), it satisfies the requirements of a vector quantity.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Two negative charges of equal magnitude are located in the $xy$-plane as shown in the figure. The direction of the electric field at point $P$ is

There is an electric field $E$ in the $X$-direction. If the work done on moving a charge $0.2\,C$ through a distance of $2\,m$ along a line making an angle $60^\circ$ with the $X$-axis is $4.0\,J$,what is the value of $E$ in $N/C$?

Two charges $e$ and $3e$ are placed at a distance $r$ from each other. The distance of the point where the electric field intensity will be zero is .........

Three charges $2q, -q, -q$ are located at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. At the centre of the triangle:

Two point charges $q_{A} = 3\; \mu C$ and $q_{B} = -3\; \mu C$ are located $20\; cm$ apart in vacuum.
$(a)$ What is the electric field at the midpoint $O$ of the line $AB$ joining the two charges?
$(b)$ If a negative test charge of magnitude $1.5 \times 10^{-9}\; C$ is placed at this point,what is the force experienced by the test charge?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo