Education Technology


Electric Field Hockey (HS)

Activity Overview

In this lesson, students will simulate, observe, and manipulate the variables that affect electric field, electric line, like and unlike charges.

Objectives

  • Students will describe an electric field and electric field lines.
  • Students will describe what happens when two like charges interact and when two unlike charges interact.
  • Student will simulate the motion of a charge particle through an electric field using the properties of like and unlike charges.

Vocabulary

  • electric field
  • negative charge
  • electric field lines
  • positive charge
  • electric force

About the Lesson

Adapted from a PhETTM simulation, this lesson is a simulation of an electric field where positive and negative charges interact.  The fictitious context is of a hockey-style game where a positive charge (the "puck") is pushed through the "goal".

As a result, students will:

  • describe an electric field and electric field lines
  • describe the interaction of like and unlike charges
  • predict the motion of charged particles
PhET is a trademark owned by the Regents of the University of Colorado, which was not involved in the production of, nor do they endorse this product.