Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Force Field Differences 
Name: nileena
Status: student
Age: 16
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999
Question:
What are some differences between electric fields and magnetic fields, as well as electric fields and gravity fields? Similarities?

Replies:
All fields are represented by arrows showing the direction of the field at a given point. If we connect these arrows tip to tail, we form field lines. Field lines do not cross. Electric field lines begin on positive and end on negative charges. Magnetic field lines are closed loops that have no beginning or end. Both electric and magnetic fields show attraction and repulsion. Gravitational fields only attract. The field lines point toward the central massive object.

---Nathan A. Unterman


Click here to return to the Physics Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory