Preview - Netlogo Investigations In Electromagnetism (Niels)

Electric Force Field Lines


The model below shows one possible representation of electric lines of force. Electric fields are typically represented as lines that point in the direction that a positive test charge would accelerate if placed upon the line. 

So, if you use test-protons (that have a positive charge) the lines are directed away from positively charged source charges and toward negatively charged source charges, and if you use test-electrons (that have a negative charge) the lines are directed toward positively charged source charges and away from negatively charged source charges. 

To create electric field lines and use the model:

1) Click SETUP then GO

2) Click ADD POSITIVE + SOURCE CHARGE. Drag the positive source charge anywhere in the black box. 

3) In the CREATE drop-down menu choose test-protons.

4) Click anywhere in the black box to test protons in the space you've created. Make sure to test many protons. Observe how the test proton charges behave in the space and how the electric field lines are drawn. 

5) Repeat with different numbers and positions of positive and negative source charges. You can do this by hitting the ADD POSITIVE + SOURCE CHARGE button and the ADD NEGATIVE - SOURCE CHARGE multiple times. Also, be sure to also test your space with test electrons, by selecting test-electrons in the CREATE drop-down menu.


Questions

Please answer the questions below.

Describe the trajectories of the test protons when there is one positive source charge in the space. Make sure to test protons around the entirety of the the source charge.


Now, describe the trajectories of the test electrons when there is one positive source charge. Make sure to test electrons around the entirety of the the source charge.


What are some differences and similarities between the trajectories of the test electrons and test protons? Explain WHY you think these differences and similarities exist.  


What information does this electric field model provide that the previous electrostatics model did not provide? What information is each model providing and how is this information related?


How does this representation of an electric field compare to your hypothesized representation that you sketched previously?


Notes

These notes will appear on every page in this lesson so feel free to put anything here you'd like to keep track of.