Potential from a Point Charge

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Use the Field Explorer applet to learn about equipotential lines. A line appears where you place the mouse, showing the magnitude and direction of the field lines. Click the middle button (or alt-left) to draw an equipotential. (The equipotentials are drawn in cyan instead of black.) The other mouse commands are the same as in the electric field unit

(Find out how!)

While you use this applet, notice that the field lines are always perpendicular to the equipotential lines. Why?

Once you're done, go to the Collaborate page and answer some questions about a point charge.


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