Work and Electric Field

Highlights of the activity

1. Students work in small groups to estimate the vector line integral of an electric field
2. Students use a plastic surface model relate the change in potential to the vector line integral $\Delta V = -\int \vec{E}\cdot\vec{dr}$

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

1. Understanding the vector line integral as “Chop Multiply Add” is tricky for students
2. Students are surprised when the value of the line integral corresponds to a decrease in the potential.

Reflections

• Reflections from the original implementation.

• Reflections from "official" adapters/adopters.

• Reflections from the general public.

Instructor's Guide

• Wiki version

vfsurfworkefieldguide.pdf

Student Handouts

vfsurfworkefieldhand.pdf

vfsurfworkefieldhand.zip