PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields

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In this PhET model, learners move charges around a simulated electric field to determine how certain variables affect interactions among charged bodies. First, drag a positive or negative charge (or both) onto the field. The simulation allows you to place "E-Field Sensors", small positive test charges. Drag a sensor to display the voltage value at any point on the field or plot equipotential lines. A virtual tape measure is also provided to calculate distance. Resource now available in HTML5.

Registered PhET users have additional access to teacher-created lessons, Power Point presentations, and student guides.

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/charges-and-fields

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Electricity & Magnetism - Electric Fields and Potential = Electric Field	- High School - Middle School - Lower Undergraduate	- Instructional Material = Activity = Interactive Simulation

Intended Users	Formats	Ratings
- Learners	- text/html	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Access Rights:: Free access with registration; Access to the simulation is freely available to all, but only registered users may access supplementary lessons, student guides, and assessments. Registration is free.
Restriction:: © 2007 Physics Education Technology, University of Colorado
Additional information is available.
Keywords:: charge interaction, electric field, electric field lines, electric potential, equipotential
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created November 3, 2015 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: September 2, 2018 by Caroline Hall
Last Update when Cataloged:: November 30, 2017
Other Collections:: The Physics Front

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Next Generation Science Standards

Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions (HS-PS2)

Students who demonstrate understanding can: (9-12)

Use mathematical representations of Newton's Law of Gravitation and Coulomb's Law to describe and predict the gravitational and electrostatic forces between objects. (HS-PS2-4)

Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)

Structure and Properties of Matter (PS1.A)

The structure and interactions of matter at the bulk scale are determined by electrical forces within and between atoms. (9-12)

Types of Interactions (PS2.B)

Forces at a distance are explained by fields (gravitational, electric, and magnetic) permeating space that can transfer energy through space. Magnets or electric currents cause magnetic fields; electric charges or changing magnetic fields cause electric fields. (9-12)

Relationship Between Energy and Forces (PS3.C)

When two objects interacting through a field change relative position, the energy stored in the field is changed. (9-12)

Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)

Patterns (K-12)

Different patterns may be observed at each of the scales at which a system is studied and can provide evidence for causality in explanations of phenomena. (9-12)

Cause and Effect (K-12)

Cause and effect relationships can be suggested and predicted for complex natural and human designed systems by examining what is known about smaller scale mechanisms within the system. (9-12)

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity (3-12)

Proportional relationships (e.g. speed as the ratio of distance traveled to time taken) among different types of quantities provide information about the magnitude of properties and processes. (6-8)
Phenomena that can be observed at one scale may not be observable at another scale. (6-8)

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)

Analyzing and Interpreting Data (K-12)

Analyzing data in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to introducing more detailed statistical analysis, the comparison of data sets for consistency, and the use of models to generate and analyze data. (9-12)
- Analyze data using computational models in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims. (9-12)

Developing and Using Models (K-12)

Modeling in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to using, synthesizing, and developing models to predict and show relationships among variables between systems and their components in the natural and designed worlds. (9-12)
- Use a model to provide mechanistic accounts of phenomena. (9-12)

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking (5-12)

Mathematical and computational thinking at the 9–12 level builds on K–8 and progresses to using algebraic thinking and analysis, a range of linear and nonlinear functions including trigonometric functions, exponentials and logarithms, and computational tools for statistical analysis to analyze, represent, and model data. Simple computational simulations are created and used based on mathematical models of basic assumptions. (9-12)
- Create a computational model or simulation of a phenomenon, designed device, process, or system. (9-12)

NGSS Nature of Science Standards (K-12)

Analyzing and Interpreting Data (K-12)

Analyzing data in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to introducing more detailed statistical analysis, the comparison of data sets for consistency, and the use of models to generate and analyze data. (9-12)

Developing and Using Models (K-12)

Modeling in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to using, synthesizing, and developing models to predict and show relationships among variables between systems and their components in the natural and designed worlds. (9-12)

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking (5-12)

Mathematical and computational thinking at the 9–12 level builds on K–8 and progresses to using algebraic thinking and analysis, a range of linear and nonlinear functions including trigonometric functions, exponentials and logarithms, and computational tools for statistical analysis to analyze, represent, and model data. Simple computational simulations are created and used based on mathematical models of basic assumptions. (9-12)

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4G. Forces of Nature

6-8: 4G/M5. A charged object can be charged in one of two ways, which we call either positively charged or negatively charged. Two objects that are charged in the same manner exert a force of repulsion on each other, while oppositely charged objects exert a force of attraction on each other.
9-12: 4G/H2a. Electric forces acting within and between atoms are vastly stronger than the gravitational forces acting between the atoms. At larger scales, gravitational forces accumulate to produce a large and noticeable effect, whereas electric forces tend to cancel each other out.

11. Common Themes

11B. Models

9-12: 11B/H1a. A mathematical model uses rules and relationships to describe and predict objects and events in the real world.

11D. Scale

6-8: 11D/M3. Natural phenomena often involve sizes, durations, and speeds that are extremely small or extremely large. These phenomena may be difficult to appreciate because they involve magnitudes far outside human experience.

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Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=13781">PhET. PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields. November 30, 2017.</a>

AIP Format

PhET, (2007), WWW Document, (https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/charges-and-fields).

AJP/PRST-PER

PhET, PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields (2007), <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/charges-and-fields>.

APA Format

PhET. (2017, November 30). PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/charges-and-fields

Chicago Format

PhET. PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields. November 30, 2017. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/charges-and-fields (accessed 1 May 2025).

MLA Format

PhET. PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields. 2007. 30 Nov. 2017. 1 May 2025 <https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/charges-and-fields>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Author = "PhET", Title = {PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {1 May 2025}, Month = {November 30, 2017}, Year = {2007} }

Refer Export Format

%Q PhET %T PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields %D November 30, 2017 %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/charges-and-fields %O text/html

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%0 Electronic Source %A PhET, %D November 30, 2017 %T PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields %V 2025 %N 1 May 2025 %8 November 30, 2017 %9 text/html %U https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/charges-and-fields

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PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields:

Is Supplemented By PhET Lesson Plan: Charges & Fields Activity

Lesson plan created by a high school teacher specifically to support the PhET simulation "Charges and Fields". Contains objectives and Student Guide for creating a Logger Pro activity.

relation by Caroline Hall

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