newton per coulomb
Electric field strengthexact by definition
One newton of force per coulomb of charge, numerically and dimensionally identical to one volt per metre. It is the form the definition E = F/q produces directly, and it is exact.
Watch out: N/C and V/m are the same unit, so a value never needs converting between them — but they are not interchangeable in a sentence. A field written N/C invites the question "force on what charge"; written V/m it invites "voltage across what gap". Same number, different question, and mixing the two framings mid-problem is how sign errors start.
| 1 | 1 |
Coulomb's force law came first and the field concept second — Faraday's insistence that space itself carries the influence, rather than one charge reaching across a gap to another. Defining the field as the force a unit charge would feel makes N/C the natural unit, and the equivalence with V/m was recognised only once potential entered the picture.
One newton per coulomb in every electric field strength unit
| 1 | volt per meter (V/m) | |
| 1 | newton per coulomb (N/C)this unit | |
| 0.01 | volt per centimeter (V/cm) | |
| 0.001 | kilovolt per meter (kV/m) | |
| 0.001 | volt per millimeter (V/mm) | |
| 0.000001 | kilovolt per millimeter (kV/mm) | |
| 0.000001 | megavolt per meter (MV/m) | |
| 0.0000254 | volt per mil (V/mil) | |
| 2.54000e-08 | kilovolt per mil (kV/mil) |