Electrostatic Kaleidoscope
Haiduke Sarafian

Bridges: Mathematical Connections in Art, Music, and Science
Pages 91–98

Abstract

Electrostatic potentials created by static electric charge distributions are the core concept of charge related phenomenons. Plots of these curves and surfaces play an invaluable role in comprehending the underlying physical ideas. Generally, 2D plots of potentials are hardly considered; 3D surfaces are mostly ignored. The author has applied Mathematica and improved the situation -- he has also stumbled across the artistic features of the plots, bridging the gap between the art of science and abstract art. Animation of one such set of plots is considered to create figures resembling collages formed by a kaleidoscope.

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