Im curious as how exactly a Electric field physically applies a force to positive/ negative charges within its field. What interaction takes place? Does a charge simply “touch” the field and experiences a force at the point of contact?
I am having a hard time conceptually understanding this and one way I have heard this explained from an MIT EM course (Section C ‘most specifically) is seeing the electric field as “lines of force” and are in “tension” along the field lines(attraction b/w opposite charges) and apply “lateral pressure” transverse to the field lines (repulsion b/w like charges)
I can accept the field lines contracting/being in tension to explain attraction except for the fact that for the lines to reach another charge (or combine with another line if you will) they would have to radiate outwards or “stretch” to that charge.
You can say “oh thats easy! Thats like an elastic band or spring!” Except when you boil down where those internal forces come from, they are explained to be electromagnetic in nature. And they are electromagnetic in nature because those forces come from attraction/repulsion of charges, which, is what we are trying to define…
I hope this makes sense what im asking. I would really appreciate any help in visualizing this concept, it has caused me a lot of frustration… cheers!
Edit: if classic EM fails to explain this, i would like to hear if QED explains this better i would like to hear those explanations as well!
