How do charges behave in an electric field?

Charges in an electric field experience a force that depends on their charge and the field strength.

When a charge is placed in an electric field, it experiences a force that is proportional to the strength of the field and the magnitude of the charge. This force can be attractive or repulsive depending on the sign of the charge. Positive charges are attracted towards negative charges and repelled by positive charges, while negative charges are attracted towards positive charges and repelled by negative charges.

The direction of the force on a charge is given by the direction of the electric field at that point. If the field is uniform, the force on a charge is also uniform and acts in the same direction as the field. If the field is non-uniform, the force on a charge will vary in direction and magnitude depending on the position of the charge within the field.

Charges can also experience a torque in an electric field if they are not aligned with the field. This torque causes the charge to rotate until it is aligned with the field. The magnitude of the torque depends on the strength of the field and the dipole moment of the charge.

Overall, charges in an electric field behave in a predictable manner and their behaviour can be modelled using the principles of electrostatics.