3D lab · Electrostatics

Electric Field Lines and Equipotentials in 3D

Trace 3D electric field lines and equipotential surfaces of a point charge, a dipole, two like charges and a charged sheet, and read E and V at a probe.

Last updated: 26 October 2026

Direct answer

Trace 3D electric field lines and equipotential surfaces of a point charge, a dipole, two like charges and a charged sheet, and read E and V at a probe.

Field lines (blue) leave positive charges and end on negative ones. Equipotentials (green) cross them at right angles; the probe shows E and V on the perpendicular bisector.

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Electric Field Lines and Equipotentials in 3D

Electrostatics

Charges Dipole

Charge q (nC) or σ (μC/m²) 5

Separation d (cm) 3 cm

Probe distance r (cm) 2 cm

Equipotentials On

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What's happening? Field lines (blue) leave positive charges and end on negative ones. Equipotentials (green) cross them at right angles; the probe shows E and V on the perpendicular bisector.

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Where it is in NCERT: Class 12 Physics Part I, “Electric Charges and Fields” (Coulomb's Law, Electric Field, Electric Field Lines, Electric Dipole); Class 12 Physics Part I, “Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance” (Electric Potential, Potential due to an Electric Dipole, Equipotential Surfaces, Potential Energy in an External Field) · ncert.nic.in
Topic notes and formulas: Electrostatics (Electric Charges and Fields, Potential)
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Chapter-wise JEE Main PYQs (7)

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The matching part of a free lecture: Electric field (4:54:30) — JEE Wallah
See it in 3D: Gauss's Law and Electric Flux in 3D
Other trusted simulations: Charges and Fields (PhET, University of Colorado) · Coulomb's Law (PhET, University of Colorado) · 3-D Electrostatic Field Simulation (Paul Falstad) · Electrostatics Simulation (Paul Falstad)

Terms used on this page

Electric field (E)

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Why can two field lines never cross?

At a crossing point the field would have two directions at once, which is impossible.

What is the field on the equatorial line of a dipole?

E = kp/(r² + a²)^{3/2}, pointing opposite to the dipole moment; the potential there is zero.

Electric Field Lines and Equipotentials in 3D

Trace 3D electric field lines and equipotential surfaces of a point charge, a dipole, two like charges and a charged sheet, and read E and V at a probe.

Try it

Electric Field Lines and Equipotentials in 3D

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