Potential of point sources

Presentation by contour diagrams

Opening the simulation, the potential of a single point source situated in the origin of the xy plane is shown. In a contour diagram equipotential lines are shown for a plane that is positioned slightly above (z = 0.1) the xy-plane (z = 0). The lines shown have equal distance of potential.

The distance from the xy-plane can be varied by slider z. The contour plot will show equipotential lines in the z-plane as a function of x and y. While changing z the potential difference between equipotential lines will not stay the same; starting from the innermost one there will be 35 newly calculated lines of equal potential distance in each plot.

The combobox allows selection of the following predefined cases

-- 1 Object

-- 2 Objects of equal polarity at a distance of 2 R

-- 3 Objects of equal polarity at a distance of 2 R

-- Dipole: 2 Objects of opposite polarity at a distance of 2 R

-- Quadrupole: 2 Dipoles (4 objects of interchanging polarity) at a distance of 2 R

The half source distance R can be defined with the upper slider R.

The text field f(x,y) shows the formula of the potential as a function of x, y, z. It is editable;  you can change it or enter completely new potential functions.

The relative source size can be changed by sliders b and c, where applicable. This way one can simulate for example the situation of a star with 1 or 2 companions of different size.