NAME: _______________________ SCORE:______

GRADE 12 ____________________ DATE:_______

PT: INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL LABORATORY ACTIVITY

ELECTRIC FIELD
Objectives
1. To investigate the electric field lines around a configuration of two or more electric charges.
2. To determine the values and strength of electric field in different locations at a given angle.
Procedure
A. Use Physics Classroom
1. Click https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Interactives/Static-Electricity/Electric-Field-Lines/
Electric-Field-Lines-Interactive
The Electric Field Lines Interactive allows learners to drag positive and negative electric charges onto the
workspace and view the pattern of electric field lines for an individual charge or a configuration of charges.
2. Click “Launch Interactive”.
3. The Electric Field Lines Interactive is shown in the iFrame below. There is a small hot spot in the top-left
corner. Clicking/tapping the hot spot opens the Interactive in full-screen mode. Use the Escape key on a
keyboard (or comparable method) to exit from full-screen mode.
4. There is a second hot-spot in the lower-right corner of the iFrame. Dragging this hot-spot allows you to
change the size of iFrame to whatever dimensions you prefer.

5. Create the following configurations of three or more charges. Screenshot the electric field lines for each
situation. Note that Diagram F is similar to Diagram E but has five negative charges piled onto the
same location.

B. Use Phet Colorado

1. Click https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/charges-and-fields/latest/charges-and-fields_en.html.
2. Follow the pattern in table letter B to determine the values of electric field in three different locations with the
same angles.

Results

B.
 C

Questions
1. This simulation shows lines of force in the region of space surrounding a charge or configuration of charges. The
strength of these forces is depicted by how bold or how faint the color is.
State a general rule for the direction of these lines of force.

2. Compare Diagram E and Diagram F.

How does the quantity of charge at a given location seem to affect the curvature of the electric field lines in the
space surrounding it.

3. Observe the boldness and faintness of the lines of force for any of your configurations.
Make a statement describing where the electric field strength is greatest.

4. In what unit is the electric field expressed?

5. A. Describe the value of electric field in three different locations with the same angles.

B. State the rule to describe the strength of electric field.

6. Show the diagram of the following problems.