Electric Field of a Point Charge Calculator

Electric Field of a Point Charge

A point charge creates a radial electric field that decreases with the square of distance. This is a direct consequence of Coulomb's law and Gauss's law for electrostatics.

Field Formula

\(k \approx 8.99 \times 10^9\) N·m²/C² is Coulomb's constant, \(Q\) is charge in coulombs, and \(r\) is distance in meters. The field points away from positive charges and toward negative charges. Units are N/C, equivalent to V/m.

Example: a 1 µC charge at 10 cm distance produces \(E = (8.99 \times 10^9)(10^{-6}) / (0.1)^2 \approx 8.99 \times 10^5\) N/C.

Force on a Test Charge

The force on a test charge \(q\) in this field is \(F = qE\). A 1 C test charge at that location would experience about \(8.99 \times 10^5\) N of force.