NCERT · Class 12 · Physics · Electric Charges and FieldsDefine electric field intensity at a point. Is it a scalar or vector quantity? Mention its SI unit.

Electric field intensity at any point in an electric field is defined as the electrostatic force experienced per unit positive test charge placed at that point. Mathematically, $\vec{E} = \lim_{q_0 \to 0} \frac{\vec{F}}{q_0}$. It is a vector quantity whose direction is the same as the force acting on a positive test charge. Its SI unit is Newton per Coulomb ($\text{N/C}$) or Volt per meter ($\text{V/m}$).