Simulation Description: E = V/d Parallel Plates Simulation
Two horizontal conducting plates sit opposite each other — the top plate is positive (+), the bottom is negative (−). Yellow field lines flow downward between them, equally spaced and parallel, showing a uniform field. Small orange positive charges drift downward, speeding up as the field strengthens. Two sliders let students adjust:
- Voltage (V) — increases field strength proportionally
- Separation (d) — increasing it weakens the field
The live formula bar updates E = V/d in real time as sliders move.
Classroom Activity — 20 minutes, pairs, GCSE Year 10/11
Starter (3 min): Ask: “If I double the voltage across these plates, what happens to the field strength? What if I double the gap instead?” Take a few answers, then load the simulation.
Tasks (12 min):
- Set V = 100V, d = 0.05m. Read E from the formula bar. Now double V to 200V — what happens to E? Write the relationship in words.
- Reset to V = 100V, d = 0.05m. Now double d to 0.10m. What happens to E? Write the relationship.
- Find two different combinations of V and d that give the same E. What does this tell you about the formula?
- Watch the particle speed at low E vs high E. What real-world quantity does the speed represent?
Key question: The field lines stay equally spaced no matter what you set. Why does this show the field is uniform — and how is that different from the field around a point charge?
Plenary (5 min): Students write one sentence each using: uniform, field strength, voltage, separation, proportional — explaining E = V/d in their own words.