
This item is an interactive Java simulation that illustrates the structure of two-dimensional vector fields using the "grass seeds" (or "iron filings") representation. Users enter x and y components for a field, then choose from a variety of field examples: two-point charges, dipole in constant or no field, two-line currents, radiating dipole, and dipole in a field with gradient. The applet will display the chosen field in either a grass seeds electric field or as equipotential lines. For more advanced users, the applet provides functions for yielding polar coordinates. This item is part of a collection of visualizations developed by the MIT TEAL project to supplement an introductory course in calculus-based electricity and magnetism. Lecture notes, labs, and presentations are also available as part of MIT's Open Courseware Repository: MIT Open Courseware: Electricity and Magnetism
- Subject:
- Education
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Material Type:
- Interactive
- Provider:
- ComPADRE Digital Library
- Provider Set:
- ComPADRE: Resources for Physics and Astronomy Education
- Author:
- Andrew McKinney
- John Belcher
- National Science Foundation
- Date Added:
- 03/31/2010