Electric Field Calculator

The Electric Field Calculator helps users determine the electric field strength, magnitude, and potential energy around a point charge in different mediums using specified input values.

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How to Use the Electric Field Calculator

This guide will walk you through the process of using the Electric Field Calculator to determine the electric field strength, magnitude, and potential energy of a point charge. Follow the steps below to ensure accurate calculations.

Step 1: Input the Point Charge

  • Locate the input field labeled Point Charge (Coulombs).
  • Enter the value of the charge in the provided space. Ensure the value is within the range of -1e-06 to 1e-06 Coulombs. Use increments of 1e-09 for precise input.
  • This field is required, so make sure it is filled in before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Input the Distance from Charge

  • Find the field labeled Distance from Charge (meters).
  • Enter the distance from the point charge to the location where the electric field is being calculated. The distance must be between 0.001 and 1000 meters, with a step of 0.001 meters.
  • This input is also mandatory, so double-check that you have entered a valid distance before continuing.

Step 3: Select the Medium

  • Navigate to the Medium dropdown menu.
  • Choose the appropriate medium in which the charge is located. Options include Vacuum (ε₀), Air, Water, Paper, and Glass.
  • Each medium has a specific dielectric constant value which affects the electric field calculation.
  • This selection is required to proceed to compute the results.

Step 4: View the Results

Once all required values have been entered:

  • Electric Field Strength: The calculator will automatically use the formula (8.85e-12 * charge) / (medium * pow(distance, 2)) to compute the electric field strength in N/C. The result will be displayed with six decimal places.
  • Electric Field Magnitude: Similarly, using the absolute value of the electric field strength calculation, the magnitude will be displayed in N/C with six decimal places.
  • Electric Potential Energy: The potential energy will be calculated based on the formula (8.85e-12 * charge * charge) / (4 * pi * medium * distance). The result will be shown in Joules, formatted to nine decimal places.

Ensure that all the inputs are correct, and review your results to draw conclusions or make further calculations as necessary.