A pedagogical overview of the fundamental Laws of Electrostatics.

The total electric field at a point is equal to the vector sum of the fields due to each source charge. This is the superposition principle.

The total electric field at a point is equal to the vector sum of the fields due to each source charge. This is the superposition principle.

The typical trajectory of the test particle is an ellipse similar to gravitational orbits. Click on the moving charge to catch it then “throw” it to set new initial conditions. The force is tangent to the lines of force.

The electric field of an infinite, uniformly charged wire is calculated by applying Coulomb's law and the principle of superposition of electric fields.

The electric field created by an infinite, uniformly charged wire can be seen in 3D. Click and drag on the screen to make it rotate.

The electric field created by a single charge can be seen in 3D. Click and drag on the screen to rotate the field.

The electric field created by a single charge can be seen in 3D. Click and drag on the screen to rotate the field.

Principle of superposition: The total electric field at a point is the vector sum of the fields at this point due to each point charge. One can make the lines of force appear with a simple mouse click.