3.7.1.1
A force field is a region where a body feels a non-contact force
Gravitational Fields & Orbits — AQA A-Level Physics
Key Definition
Force field — A region of space where a body experiences a non-contact force.
- Non-contact forces act without physical contact. Gravity, electrostatic attraction, and magnetic attraction are all non-contact forces.
- Three types of force field: gravitational (acts on mass), electric (acts on chargeA property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electromagnetic field. Measured in coulombs (C).), magnetic (acts on moving chargeA property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electromagnetic field. Measured in coulombs (C).).
- The direction of a force field is shown by field lines (lines of force), drawn with arrows.
- For a spherical object like a planet, the mass can be treated as a point mass at its centre.