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In support of all the students who are displaced from school due to the Corona virus. Access to physics zone and chemistry zone lessons are now available free of charge. This will be maintained at least through August 1st 2020. Learn and be well.

Physics Lessons Review Links Solutions Physics Shop

Lessons on Electrostatics

 Name  Description  Type
Intro to Electrostatics
This lesson is for members only
 A nice introduction to the study static electricity. Animation & Explanation
(HTML5)
Charging an Object Using Friction
This lesson is for members only
This lesson examines some common situations of charging an object rubbing it against a different object. Animations & Explanation
Insulators & Conductors
This lesson is for members only
 This lesson addresses the differences between insulators and conductors.   Animations & Explanation
Electrostatics Lab Activities
This lesson is for members only
This lesson illustrates what is actually happening in common electrostatics lab experiences.  It is recommended that you use this lesson either during or after going through the electrostatics lab. Lesson & Animations
Losing Charge
This lesson is for members only
 This lesson illustrates how water vapor and other particles in the air can steal charge from a charged object. Animation & Explanation
Electrostatic Force - Coulomb's Law
This lesson is for members only
This introduces the concept of electrostatic force and how to calculate it.  It also addresses the concept of quantity of charge. Explanation
Electric Field Strength
This lesson is for members only
This lesson introduces the concept of an electric field and the calculation of field strength or field intensity. Animation & Explanation
 Electrostatic Field Mapping
This lesson is for members only
 This demonstrates the idea behind mapping an electric field. The field is created between two fixed particles.
 
 Animation & Explanation
Electrostatic Field Mapping Applet
NEW
This applet lets you move two charges around and see the resulting electric field diagram and field lines. Interactive Java Applet
Electrostatic Field Mapping Applet #2
NEW
This applet lets you place various charges, and automatically draws both electric field lines and equipotential lines. Interactive Java Applet
Electrostatic Force and Fields This is a great dialogue and interactive segments to teach the concept of an electrostatic force and electric fields.
CAUTION: This site demonstrates a field using a negative test charge.  Remind yourself continually that an electric field is defined in terms of a positive test charge.
Interactive Dialogue (Java)
Electrical Energy and Electrical Potential
This lesson is for members only
This lesson focuses on the concept of electrical potential, or potential difference, or voltage, or electromotive force.  This is perhaps the most difficult concept in electricity only because we have so many words to describe the same thing. Lesson & Animations
Equipotential Lines
This lesson is for members only
This lesson illustrates the concept of equipotential lines and electrical potential difference. Lesson & Animations
Charged Parallel Plates
This lesson is for members only
This lesson demonstrates several properties of oppositely charged parallel plates. Lesson & Animations
The Millikan Oil Drop Experiment
This lesson is for members only
An online version of the classic experiment used by Robert Millikan to determine the charge on the electron. Simulation
(HTML5)
Van de Graaff Generator
This lesson is for members only
This lessons describes how a Van de Graaff generator is able to create huge electrostatic charges.  Animation & Explanation
The Proton Gun Lab This interactive lab allows you to place charges near the path of a proton being fired out of a proton gun. Created by Raman Pfaff. Interactive Lab
(Shockwave)
Moving Charge in an Electric Field
NEW
This interactive lab allows you to adjust initial velocity, electric field strength, charge and mass and track the effects on the charge's motion. Interactive Lab
(Java Applet)
Forces on Multiple Charges
This lesson is for members only
 This demonstrates what the forces of attraction or repulsion look like between three spherical charges.  Movie & Explanation
Lightning
This lesson is for members only
The electrostatic process of lightning is addressed here.  Animation & Explanation
Electricity Review
This lesson is for members only
A collection of multiple choice questions providing immediate feedback. Multiple Choice Practice