A magnetic field is the magnetic effect of electric currents and magnetic materials. The magnetic field at any given point is specified by both a direction and a magnitude (or strength); as such it is a vector field. The term is used for two distinct but closely related fields denoted by the symbols and , where is measured in units of amperes per meter (symbol: A·m^-1 or A/m) in the SI. is measured in teslas (symbol:T) and newtons per meter per ampere (symbol: N·m^-1·A^-1 or N/(m·A)) in the SI. is most commonly defined in terms of the Lorentz force it exerts on moving electric charges.