An algorithm for the visual representation of a two-dimensional vector field

Abstract

The most common method of graphing a two-dimensional electric or magnetic field is by drawing the lines of force. Such vector diagrams may become confusing if the field has nonzero divergence, many fine details, or discontinuities. The alternative presented in this work is to indicate the direction of the vector field at a point by a color, and its intensity by brightness. The advantages of this are that field intensities are readily apparent and can be compared easily, discontinuities present no special problems, and the algorithm can be implemented much more easily than the traditional approach of drawing force lines. An ordinary PS/2 model 80 with coprocessor is found to be a suitable hardware platform for this method. This method is immediately applicable to any two-dimensional vector field over a bounded rectangular region.<>