Explore the Electric Field & Charges Simulator
Drag positive and negative charges around and watch the field lines and forces react. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Electric Field & Charges Simulator with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Electric Field & Charges Simulator?
Drag positive and negative charges around and watch the field lines and forces react. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Electric fields are used in capacitors, particle accelerators, printers, air purifiers and to understand lightning.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Field lines start on positive charges and end on negative charges.
Coulomb's law: force between charges is proportional to q1 q2 / r².
A test charge feels a force along the field direction (opposite for negative charges).
Add one positive and one negative charge to make a dipole.
Drag the yellow test charge around and watch the force arrow.
Put two positive charges close together and look at the field between them.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Physics learners
Physics students in middle school, high school and first-year university, teachers who want a quick demonstration for the projector, and anyone revising for exams.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Electric Field & Charges Simulator on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Drag the yellow test charge around and watch the force arrow. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What do electric field lines show?
The direction a positive test charge would be pushed. The closer the lines are together, the stronger the field.
What is Coulomb's law?
The force between two point charges is F = k q1 q2 / r². Like charges repel, unlike charges attract.
Is the Electric Field & Charges Simulator free to use?
Yes. The Electric Field & Charges Simulator is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Physics group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Electric Field & Charges Simulator work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Electric Field & Charges Simulator takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 1 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Electric Field & Charges Simulator?
1. In the Electric Field & Charges Simulator, use the controls to change New charge size. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Electric Field & Charges Simulator, pick an option such as Field lines, Field arrows, Test charge, Dipole to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Electric Field & Charges Simulator, press "+ Positive", "− Negative", "Clear all" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Add one positive and one negative charge to make a dipole. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Electric Field & Charges Simulator responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Field lines start on positive charges and end on negative charges.
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Try the Electric Field & Charges Simulator now
Drag positive and negative charges around and watch the field lines and forces react. Free to use.
Try it free