The Electric Field

98
Experiment 2
Objective: To find the equipotential surfaces in a conducting medium and to use them to
plot the associated electric field.
DISCUSSION:
The electric field is the name given to that condition of space in which a charged
object in the space experiences an electric force. One measure of the field is to divide the
electric force on the bod b the charge it carries. !ince force is a vector and charge is a
scalar" the field is a vector. The field is defined at each point in space and ma differ
both in magnitude and direction from point to point.
#n e$uivalent method of measuring the field is to measure the potential difference
between two ver close points in the field and to divide this potential difference b the
distance between the points. The $uotient e$uals the component of the electric field in
the direction indicated b the straight line drawn between the points. The direction of the
component is toward the point at the lower potential.
%f there is no potential
difference between the points" that
is" if the points are at the same
electrical potential" the points are
said to lie on an equipotential
surface" which is defined to be all
those points at a given potential. %t
can be shown that the electric field
is directed perpendicularl to the
surfaces of constant potential. %n
this lab" since we are loo&ing at a
two dimensional slice of the
e$uipotential surface' we are
observing equipotential lines" as
in (ig. ). The field points from the
region of high potential" shown b
the line labeled *
)
" to the region of
low potential" *
+
. The strength of
the field at a given point is found
b dividing the potential difference
of two nearb surfaces on either
side of the points b the
perpendicular distance between them.
2,)
Electric (ield -ines
*
)
*
.
*
+
*
2
Figure 1: Eqipotential lines and the electric field.
E$uipotential -ines
%n this experiment" a special conducting paper is used as the conducting medium.
Electrodes at different potentials are placed on the paper so that charge flows from one
electrode to another. This flow lies along the lines of the electric field. The electrodes
produce a potential difference between regions of the paper" forming lines which are at
the same potential. These lines can be detected with a voltmeter' if the leads are placed
in electrical contact with two different points on the conducting paper" the voltmeter
indicates a potential difference onl if there is a voltage drop between the points. # null"
or /ero" reading indicates that the leads to the voltmeter are at the same potential. The
apparatus is shown in (ig. 2.
EE!CISES:
E"FIE#DS $% &'ND
). 0se the apparatus shown in (ig. 2 to plot curves of
constant potential on the graph paper provided. 1epeat
this exercise for several electrodes of different shapes.
2. (rom the e$uipotential curves" construct the
associated electric field. 1emember that electric field
lines are perpendicular to e$uipotential lines.
.. 2 finding the potential difference between two close
surfaces in the neighborhood of a point" find the electric
field at the point. 1epeat this exercise for several
different points.
E"FIE#DS $% C'#CU#'TION
). 0se the apparatus shown in (ig. 2 and the Excel template provided to plot curves of
constant potential. The apparatus uses several configurations on conductive paper.
The configurations consist of two point sources" two parallel lines and a combination
of one line and one point.
a. Open the E(ield-abTemplate.xls file b double,clic&ing on the file. 3%t ma not
wor& properl if ou open it using the 4Open5 command in Excel.6
b. There will be a several grids with bunches of /eros in them. This grid corresponds
to the 7asco 8onductive 7aper. Each configuration has its own grid 3scroll down
to see them6.
c. 0sing the apparatus" measure the potentials at the edge points of the paper and
enter these numbers in the pin& cells around the edge of the corresponding grid.
39our computer will calculate after each point is entered6.
d. (ill in the configuration potentials into the corresponding green cells 3one will be
/ero6.
e. :hen these steps are complete" our grid and graphs should be complete. 8hec&
the results the computer gives ou against what ou actuall get.
f. 1epeat this exercise for the other configurations.
2,2
;
<
*
Figure 2: E-field mapping apparatus
2. 8onstruct and calculate the electric field.
a. 7rint the large e$uipotential plots 32= surface plots in Excel6 and construct
b hand the associated electric field.
b. 2 finding the potential difference between two close surfaces in the
neighborhood of a point" find the electric field several points.
c. 1epeat this exercise for each large e$uipotential plot.
2,.