Question

You’ve been assigned the task of determining the magnitude and direction of the electric field at a point in space. Give a step-by-step procedure of how you will do so. List any objects you will use, any measurements you will make, and any calculations you will need to perform. Make sure that your measurements do not disturb the charges that are creating the field.

Short answer

Calculate the electric field by$E=\frac{F}{q}$.

Step-by-step solution

Given information 

Given a point in space of electric field.

Explanation

• To determine the electric field, place a positive test charge which does not disturb the system's configuration.
• Measure the force on the test charge.
• Electric field at a point is the force experienced by the test charge at that point. From the measured force and charge calculate the electric field using $E=\frac{F}{q}$
• Direction of the electric field is the same as the direction of the force on the charge.