Electrostatics Simulation I
Description:
The simulation shows a charge distribution between which there is
a (nearly) uniform electric field (like the field between the plates of
a capacitor). The equipotential lines are drawn for this case. When you
click on the start button below a small test charge is released at the location
you specify in the box (x=0, y=0 is the center of the simulation) with an
initial y velocity (vy) you specify.
Question 18:
Start the test charge with the default values of at x=0, y=2, vy=0.
Describe the motion. How does the direction the test charge travels compare
with the direction of the force on the test charge?
Question 19:
Run the simulation several times with x=0, y=2 and the y velocity (vy)
set to different negative values between -1 and -5 and describe the motion.
How does the direction the test charge travels compare with the direction
of the force on the test charge?
Question 20:
In simulation H you found that the force on a test charge is in the same
direction as the electric field and perpendicular to the eqipotential surfaces.
In the previous question, then, why doesn't the test charge move in the
direction the electric field vectors point (and perpendicularly across the
equipotential surfaces) in these cases? Explain.