Physlets: Electric Fields

Guide to the Electric Fields

The electric field is displayed as a grid of vectors rather than as field lines. Because of this, electric field strength is indicated by color (black/red/green/blue indicating strongest to weakest) rather than by the density of field lines. Clicking anywhere in the diagram will tell you the value of the potential and the electric field strength at that point.

+/- Unit charges can be added to the diagram by clicking on the +/- buttons.

U(x,y) - entering a mathematical expression in the top text field, and then clicking on the U(x,y) button, draws the corresponding electric potential. Clear the text field and then click the button to erase the potential.

Test - creates a movable test charge with an attached arrow showing the strength and direction of the electric field.