Why is the electric filed a vector?

Answer 1

In physics, a vector is basically anything you can measure (or imagine) that has both a magnitude (something you can express with a number), and a direction. An electric field has both; at any point in space, a unit charge will experience a force (which is in itself a vector). The electric field at any point can be understood as the electric force per unit charge.

Answer 2

Force can be real or vector. Force in general is a quaternion consisting of a real and a vector component. Force is" considered a vector quantity" because force is assumed to "have a direction and only vectors have directions". The universe is made up of reals/scalars and vectors called quaternions. Quaternions consist of a real r and three vectors, v=ix +jy + kz, q=r + v. Scientists have defined forces incorrectly because they have neglected the real or scalar forces in science. For example, consider Newton's gravitational potential energy, E=-mu/r. The real derivative of the potential energy is dE/dr = mu/r^2=mv^2/r, a real/scalar force. This is a force but it is not a vector force , it is a real or scalar force. The Gradient of E is a vector force Del -mu/r= mu/r^2( R/r) = mv^2/r (R/r)=mv^2/r R'. The gradient is a vector derivative of the real potential energy and produces a vector force. The real derivative produces a real force. Scientists including Newton were not clear about this difference and it is still the case. Consider f=qvB where v and B are the vector velocity and the vector B-field. The force is f=-qv.B + qvxB. The vector force is recognized as the Lorentz force, the real force qv.B is not recognized at all. It is the real force in the direction of the magnetic field. Here you see the real force has a direction it is parallel to the B field, but it is not a vector force it is a real force. The vector force qvxB is a vector force perpendicular to the B field. The quaternion force is f=qvB= -qv.B + qvxB = -qvbcos(x) + qvBsin(x)T'. Force can be real or vector. Force in general is a quaternion consisting of a real and a vector component.

Answer 3

An electric field is a vector quantity because it has direction and a magnitude. Electric field has a certain direction in which it acts.