Electric Potential QuickTime Movies

Surface Plot of the Electric Potential of Two Point Charges (100K)
Two point charges of opposite charge and different magnitude are placed at fixed locations on the x-axis. Shown is the two-dimensional surface plot of the electric potential created by the two charges. The potential is plotted from a 3D perspective, the vertical dimension being the potential. (Gravity is turned off)

Orbiting the Two Point Charges (1.4 M)
A third negative charge is released from rest off the x-axis and goes into orbit about the two fixed charges.
Oscillating on the negative x-axis (488K)
A third negative charge is released from rest on the negative x-axis. The charge oscillates back and fourth on the x-axis.

Also see Potential of Two Point Charges Problem and Potential of Two Point Charges IP Simulation


Charged Particle Orbiting an Infinite Line-Charge (756K)
An infinitely long, line-charge with a uniform, positive charge density is placed along the z-axis. A negatively charged particle is given an initial velocity in the xy-plane perpendicular to the line-charge. The particle orbits about the line charge in a "rose-petal" shape orbit that precesses. (Gravity is turned off)

Also see Potential of an Infinitely Long Line-Charge Problem and Potential of an Infinitely Long Line-Charge IP Simulation