LAB # 1. The Electric Field
Theory:
1. Coulomb’s Law
2. What is electric field (definition and equation)?
3. How does it look like for positive and how for negative charge?
4. What is the work done by the Coulomb’s force?
5. Electric potential.
6. What are equipotential surfaces?
Experiment:
1. 4 equipotential lines
Starting points: (9,8), (19,8), (11,1), (18,1)
• Leave black probe of DMM on negative charge (black probe is referent
point)
• Place red probe at (9,8) and record the voltage.
• Find ~5 other points at the same voltage to draw the first equipotential line
• Repeat for three more points.
2. 4 electric field lines
Starting points (18,9), (18,11), (20,8), (20,12)
• Tape DMM probes together an measure the distance between the tips.
• Place black probe at (18,9) and pivot around looking for the largest
voltage. This is direction of electric field.
• Record probes position and voltage.
• Continue until you arrive at opposite charge (equipotential line)
• Repeat for three more electric field lines.
Calculations:
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Sum of all V’s along electric field line should equal |V1-V4|. Sum all four.
Calculate electric field E for one segment per line.
Sample Data: