Field Graphs for A Level Physics

Connect gravitational and electric field graphs with potential gradients, signed areas and energy transfer in a guided graph lab.

Learning guide and suggested activities

What this tool shows

Linked field and potential graphs with movable reference and probe points
Inverse-square and inverse-distance scaling, signs and field direction
A tangent linking potential gradient to signed field strength
Signed areas, potential differences and work for outward and return journeys
Force and potential energy for positive and negative test charges
Radial fields compared with a uniform parallel-plate field

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

Predict how field and potential change when distance or source strength doubles.
Reverse the source charge and distinguish field direction from potential sign.
Use a tangent to obtain field strength from a potential graph.
Shade an interval, reverse the journey and explain the signs of work and energy.
Apply the ideas in six knowledge checks with explanatory feedback.