Drawing Electric Field Lines
Drawing Electric Field Lines
- A field-line diagram shows the direction and relative strength of an electric field. The lines are a model, not physical wires or paths.
Read and draw electric field lines
Swipe left or right to see the whole diagram →
- The arrow on a field line shows the force direction for a positive test charge.
- Closer field lines represent a stronger field. Parallel, evenly spaced lines represent a uniform field.
- Field lines leave positive charges and enter negative charges.
- A field line meets the surface of a conductor at right angles.
Parallel plates
Straight, parallel and evenly spaced; arrows from positive to negative.
Positive sphere
Straight radial lines with arrows pointing outwards.
Negative sphere
Straight radial lines with arrows pointing inwards.
The recent marking points are straight/radial lines, equal spacing and correct arrows (9702/42/O/N/24 Q6(b)) (9702/42/O/N/25 Q6(b)(i)).
A field diagram gives direction through arrows and relative strength through line spacing. The lines are a model; they are not physical wires or paths.