Lesson Plan

Define the electric field and explain why it is a more useful concept than direct charge-to-charge force

Calculate the electric field at a point due to a point charge using E = kq/r²

Determine the direction of the electric field at a point for positive and negative source charges

Draw and interpret electric field line diagrams for simple charge configurations

Calculate the electric force on a charge placed in an electric field using F = qE

18.3

"The electric field E is defined as the electric force F per unit charge: E = F/q. The direction of the field is defined as the direction of the force exerted on a positive test charge." "Electric field lines always begin on positive charges and end on negative charges. The number of lines drawn from a positive charge or ending on a negative charge is proportional to the magnitude of the charge."