Field Graphs for A Level Physics

Compare electric and gravitational field-strength and potential graphs with an interactive inverse-square model.

Learning guide and suggested activities

What this tool shows

How electric and gravitational field strength vary with distance
Inverse-square relationships visually
Comparing uniform and radial fields
Potential graphs for point charges and masses

OCR A relevance

Module 5: Gravitational fields
Module 6: Electric fields
Inverse-square law

AQA relevance

AQA 7408 section 3.7.1: Fields
AQA 7408 sections 3.7.2 and 3.7.3
Field strength, potential and inverse-square graphs

Try these tasks

Compare the shape of E against r and V against r graphs.
Change the charge or mass and observe the scaling.
Identify where the field is strongest and weakest from the graph.