Talk:Force field (physics)

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I'm putting this question out to anyone who can answer it: according to what source is there an actual definition of "force field?" I ask this because I've hardly ever seen "force field" in a physics text. I've seen gravitational field and electric field, and I understand the concept that such forces are the gradient of their potentials. But according to whom are the forces associated with them defined as "force fields"?

If no one can provide a source for this particular definition of "force field" (while it makes sense), I say the article should be deleted.

I had a bit of trouble finding good sources, but here's a good definition from http://www.nksd.net/schools/nkhs/staff/john_daneau/cp_glossary.htm: "That which exists in the space surround­ing a mass, electric charge, or magnet, so that another mass, electric charge, or magnet intro­duced to this region will experience a force. Examples of force fields are gravitational fields, electric fields, and magnetic fields." For purposes of the article, I'd go for a more authoritative source - I believe this definition was written (or least typed up) by a high school teacher - but in terms of accuracy, it appears alongside good definitions of many other physics terms.
The force field has a place in science and therefore a place in Wikipedia. As the article states, it was Michael Faraday's concept. However, while that paragraph is not inaccurate, it does not make a good opening paragraph and requires the attention of someone able to write both clearly and knowledgeably. In other words, it is confusing and should be rewritten.
Another point about the opening paragraph: which Kuhn? The word "Kuhnian" links to a disambiguation page and I honestly don't know who the guy is.

Excellently worded examples;

or a smeared plum pudding of electric charges

not so good. MagnusW (talk) 23:13, 9 June 2008 (UTC)