Electric fields play a fundamental role in our understanding of electric interactions. They help us explain how electrically charged particles interact with each other and with their surroundings. An electric field is the region in which an electric force is exerted on a charged particle. The presence of an electric field around a charged object influences the behavior of other charged objects in its vicinity.

For example, let's consider a positive point charge. The electric field created by this charge is a force field that extends outwards in all directions. Another charged particle placed within this electric field will experience a force in the direction determined by the field lines. The magnitude of the force experienced by the second charge depends on the strength of the electric field at its location.