An electric field is a region around a charged object where other charged objects experience a force. It is created by electric charges, such as electrons and protons, and can be visualized as lines radiating outward from a positive charge and inward toward a negative charge. The strength of the electric field depends on the amount of charge and the distance from the charge. Electric fields are measured in volts per meter (V/m) and can influence the motion of charged particles. For example, when a charged balloon is brought near small pieces of paper, the electric field can attract the paper, demonstrating how electric fields can affect nearby objects without direct contact.