Force and potential

The electric force vector points in the direction in which V decreases and remains perpendicular  to the equipotentials. The common trajectory of a particle experiencing such a field is an ellipse similar to gravitational orbits. This is a conservative force.

You can catch and “throw” the moving particle to change the initial conditions.

• To explain the link between force, field and potential (energy).
• To reveal a gravitational analogy.

Click on the charge to catch it. Throw it to set new initial conditions.