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Electric Field Simulation Worksheet

This document provides instructions for using an electric field simulation app to investigate the properties of electric fields produced by point charges. Key points explored include: 1) The strength of the electric field decreases with distance from the point charge and the field vectors point radially away from a positive charge and radially toward a negative charge. 2) When two equal but opposite charges are placed some distance apart, the electric field is strongest near the charges and weakest midway between them, with field lines tracing a path from the positive to the negative charge. 3) When two like charges are placed some distance apart, the electric field is weakest midway between the charges, with field lines curving around each

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Joshua Vicente
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699 views2 pages

Electric Field Simulation Worksheet

This document provides instructions for using an electric field simulation app to investigate the properties of electric fields produced by point charges. Key points explored include: 1) The strength of the electric field decreases with distance from the point charge and the field vectors point radially away from a positive charge and radially toward a negative charge. 2) When two equal but opposite charges are placed some distance apart, the electric field is strongest near the charges and weakest midway between them, with field lines tracing a path from the positive to the negative charge. 3) When two like charges are placed some distance apart, the electric field is weakest midway between the charges, with field lines curving around each

Uploaded by

Joshua Vicente
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Electric Field Simulation Worksheet

Launch the simulation app

Select the box next to “grid” on the right

Place a +1nC charge in the middle of your screen

1. Drag an “E-field Sensor” out onto the grid. What do you notice about

a. the direction of the arrow at all times?

b. the magnitude of the vector (the length of the arrow) as you move farther away from the
charge? What does this arrow represent?

2. a. Place three more elecric field sensors so that they create 3 more vectors of identical length. What
do the four points have in common?

b. Place a vector 5 grid marks from the point charge. Now, place a second vector10 grid marks from
the charge. Compare the length of the two vectors. What can you conclude about the relationship
between electric field strength and distance?

c. If you place a vector 15 grid marks from the point charge, how will it compare in size to the first
vector? Test your prediction.

3. Clear the screen and place a -1nC charge in the center of the screen. Repeat the investigations in #1
and #2. In what ways are the field vectors and field lines the same? How are they different?

4. Erase the field lines. Place a +1nC and a -1nC charge on the screen 20 grid marks apart. Use the E-
field sensors to probe the electric field around the two charge. Afer completing your exploration,
answer the following questions:

a. In what place or places is the field the strongest?

b. In what place or places is the field the strongest?

c. Draw a sketch of the electric field lines generated.

d. Use the E-field sensor to trace along one of the electric field line from + to – charge. Describe how
the direction of the field vector changes as you move from one charge to the other. Describe how the
magnitude of the field vector changes.

5. Clear the simulation anf place two +1nC charges 20 grid marks apart. Use an E-field sensor to probe
the electric field around the two charges.

a. You will find the field is weak far from the positive charge. Where else is the field very weak (even
zero) in strength?

b. If you placed a small positive charge halfway between the two +1nC charges, how would it move?

c. Draw a sketch of the electric field lines generated.

d. The field lines around a single charge are always straight. Why do the lines curve in this case?
RED
GREEN
BLUE
YELLOW
PINK
BLACK
VIOLET
gRAY

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