Physics II (PH2223) Electric Fields

Example: gravitational field around more-or-less spherically symmetric object (Earth is pretty close). The vector gravitational field around this object is the collection of all these vector g's, all pointing radially inward towards the object.

ELECTRIC FIELD around single POSITIVE point charge

Field lines streaming radially OUTWARD

ELECTRIC FIELD around single NEGATIVE point charge

Field lines streaming radially INWARD

MOLECULAR DIPOLE

ELECTRIC FIELD around a DIPOLE

ELECTRIC FIELD around TWO positive charges

This format emphasizes the direction of the field (via `streamlines') but doesn't show the changing magnitude.

ELECTRIC FIELD around two negative charges, and a dipole using the streamline type of plot.