Force Vectors
Description:
Two fixed charges are shown in black. Select either "Like Charges"
or "Unlike Charges" to have the field lines drawn.
You may click and drag the small green test charge to different positions in
the electric field around the two charges. We are interested in observing the relationship between the dark blue
force
vector on the test charge and the light blue field lines.
Questions:
- Move the test charge around in the electric field. Describe the relationship between the force vector on the test charge and the field
lines.
- When you hit the "play" button, does the test charge follow
the field lines? Does it do this for all field lines, or just some field lines? Explain.
- What happens to the test charge when it is placed on a horizontal line
joining the two charges? Try
several places on this line for both the "Like Charges" and "Unlike Charges"
configurations.
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