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Let's assume we have dielectric material and we apply an external electric field that acts on it (let's call it Ex ) . As a resault we get dipoles who in turn create another electric field (let's call it Ep ) in opposite direction relative to Ex and thus we get a net field (let's call it En ) that equals to En=Ex-Ep.

In Maxwell's equations we have D and E (electric displacement field and electric field) where D=ε0E+P , now my question is what should we substitute in E? is it Ex or En ?

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  • $\begingroup$ There is only one electric field.. $\endgroup$
    – WillO
    Commented Aug 7, 2023 at 1:18
  • $\begingroup$ Is it Ex or En ? $\endgroup$
    – firas
    Commented Aug 7, 2023 at 1:25

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$E$ in the relation $D=\epsilon_0 E + P$ is the net electric field. It is the sum of all contributions to electric field, thus sum of all partial electric fields due to all sources. In your notation, it is $E_n$.

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The net electric field is the field denoted by $E$ in Maxwell's equations.

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