IB Physics Higher Level (HL) Practice Exam

The term 'electric field' refers to the concept of a region in which a force would act on a charged particle. This is grounded in the definition of an electric field as a property of space around electric charges. When another charge is introduced into this field, it will experience a force due to the field's influence, which is proportional to the strength of the electric field at that point.

The electric field can be represented by lines that radiate from positive charges and converge on negative charges, indicating the direction of the force a positive test charge would experience. The intensity of the electric field is quantified by how strong that force is on a unit charge, measured in newtons per coulomb (N/C).

Understanding this definition is crucial as it differentiates the electric field from other concepts such as electric potential energy or electric potential, which are related but describe different physical aspects. This comprehensive view clarifies why the electric field is intrinsically linked to the forces acting on charged particles, thus confirming the correctness of the choice provided.