Electric Field and Electric Potential Lab Report
pdf
School
Northeastern University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
1148
Subject
Electrical Engineering
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
Pages
9
Uploaded by TheVaughnGod
Report for Experiment #16
Electric Field and Electric Potential
Vaughn Montoya
Lab Partner:
Sen Niu
TA:
Ji Tae
2/17/2023
Introduction
An electric field happens to be a vector force that encompasses an charged related to the forces
between them. There happens to be one way to detect it which is to see if another charge experiences an
repulsion or attraction in the field. Electric fields can be seen by electric field lines which point in the
direction of the maximum field at that point. Electric field lines are at every point perpendicular to the
equipotential lines. The strength of a force on a test charge is F=qE (1) where q is the test charge and E is
the electric field.
The potential field is a scalar field, which is giving just magnitude and the electric field is a vector
field, which has both magnitude and direction. When connecting pieces of metal to two poles of a battery
or DC power supply positive charges will accumulate on one of the pieces while the other will
accumulate negative charges. These charges will make a potential field between the two pieces of metal.
Then a ground, zero potential was set to one of the electrodes and compared the other points thereby
making a map of potentials. A simple way to do this is to look for lines along the potential that stay the
same which are known as equipotential lines. Electric field can be calculated by using the following
equation:
࠵?
!
= −
∆࠵?
∆࠵?
= −
࠵?
"
− ࠵?
#
࠵?
"
− ࠵?
#
(2)
The objects of this lab were to look at the electric potential between two electrodes, and to figure out the
relation between electric potential and electric field as well as to study electric field between electrodes.
In the first Investigation a piece of black conducting paper was placed in the middle with parallel
electrodes and lines drawn long the edges of the electrodes. They were then connected to a voltage source
and equipotential lines were searched for between the electrodes. In this Investigation voltage happens to
increase from negative to positive electrode and the electric field between the parallel plates remains
approximately constant. A plot of V vs. X and E vs. x was made to visualize this theory. Investigation 2
used the same black conducting paper was used and two brass circular electrodes were used this time. In
this Investigation static field in a coaxial cable, like those used to feed cable TV was stimulated to
highlight that equipotential lines are curved. Plots of V vs. average radius and E vs.
1/࠵?
$
were made to
look at these theories.
Investigation 1
The setup for Investigation 1 consisted of placing the rubber pad in the middle of the table and then
placing the conducting paper on the top. Then two parallel plates were placed 10 cm apart from each
other. A grease pencil was used to trace a line on the inside of the electrodes to highlight where they were.
10 V is what the power supply was set to and the connecting wires which were put in and attached and the
plate on the left was set to x=0 also known as the grounding plate while the one on the right was set x=d.
The scale of the voltmeter was set to read at 10 V. The probe was used to check that the positive plate, the
plate on the right registered 10 V.
Then equipotential lines were found in increments of 1V, the 5 V line was found first because
towards the center should be parallel, a straight line. Then 2 V to 8 V was found using the probe and
marked and labeled with a grease pencil. Also, the potential was found outside of the two parallel plates
known as the fringe field, where the electrode ends. One person was holding down on the parallel plates
to ensure there was a solid connection while the other was doing the measurements. The 5v was then
confirmed to be halfway between the two electrodes. Then perpendicular lines were drawn from the
equipotential lines. Measurements between the equipotential line and grounded electrode were recorded.
Half the thickness of line was determined to be the uncertainty of x which was simply just 0.0005m. Error
in voltage was just 1% of the voltage value. The theoretical voltage V was found by using the following
equation:
࠵? =
|Ex
|
(3)
of the Then Electric field, E was calculated between pairs of potential lines and its error was found using
the following equation:
࠵?࠵? = ࠵?
4
࠵?࠵?
%
࠵?
+
࠵?࠵?
%
࠵?
(4)
Then the theoretical electric field was calculated by taking the absolute value of second equation in the
introduction. Then the average position,
࠵?
#&’
was found using the following equation:
࠵?
#&’
=
࠵?
#
+ ࠵?
"
2
(5)
Then its error was found using the following using the following equation:
࠵?࠵?
#&’
=
1
2
8
2࠵?࠵?
%
(6)
A table was made for the data in Investigation 1
Table 1:
All data from Investigation 1: Vth= Theoretical Voltage and Eth= Theoretical Electric Field
x (m)
δx (m)
V (V)
δV (V)
࠵?
#&’
(m)
࠵?࠵?
#&’
(m)
Ε (V/m)
δE( V/m)
Vth (V)
Eth( V/m)
0.018
0.0005
2
0.02
0.032
0.0035
-100
-3.7
-1.8
-100
0.028
0.0005
3
0.03
0.047
0.0035
-100
-5.1
-2.8
-100
0.038
0.0005
4
0.04
0.064
0.0035
-71.4
-4.9
-3.8
-100
0.052
0.0005
5
0.05
0.083
0.0035
-111
-9.8
-5.2
-100
0.061
0.0005
6
0.06
0.098
0.0035
-83.3
-8.8
-6.1
-100
0.073
0.0005
7
0.07
0.11
0.0035
-125
-15.5
-7.3
-100
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
0.081
0.0005
8
0.08
x
0.0035
-98.8
x
-8.1
-100
A plot of Voltage (V) vs position (X) was made to look at voltage as it increases from negative to positive
electrode. Plugging the data into the IPL straight line of fit calculator, the experimental slope was found
to be
92.0 ࠵?/࠵? ± 1.19 ࠵?/࠵?
. The experimental slope did not fall within the theoretical slope. This could
have been because of human error in measuring and drawing the equipotential lines.
Figure 1:
Voltage (V) vs. Position (X)
A plot of E vs. X was made to look at and show that electric field remains constant between the two
electrodes. Using IPL straight line of fit calculator, the experimental slope was found to be
165.0 ࠵?/࠵?
%
± 107.2 ࠵?/࠵?
%
.
The slope does not agree with the theoretical data which could be because of
human errors such as not correctly measuring the distance between grounded potential and equipotential
lines thus impacting electric field calculations.
y = 92.444x + 0.3646
y = 100x
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.08
0.09
Voltage (V)
Distance (m)
Voltage (V) vs Distance(X) and V Theoretical
Expected
Theoretical
Linear (Expected)
Linear (Theoretical)
Linear (Theoretical)
Figure 2:
Electric Field (E) vs. Position (X)
Investigation 2
The setup for Investigation 2 consisted of using the same black paper underneath the soft rubber pad.
Two circular brass electrodes were used in this Investigation. The bigger one put in the center and the and
traced with a grease pencil as well as an x-y coordinate system was set up in the inside of this. The small
brass ring was placed in the center of the bigger ring. Then we measured the radius and distances between
origins and equipotential lines. The radius of the center electrode
a
was measured to be
0.01 ± 0.0005 ࠵?
and the outer electrode was measured to be
0.1075 ± 0.0005 ࠵?
. The error of these measurements was
simply just half the smallest increment of the ruler. The outer ring was connected to grounded negative
terminal while the inner one was connected to the positive terminal. Just as Investigation 1 the power
supply and voltage were set 10 V. The prob-tipped wire was connected to ensure that the outer ring was
10 V.
Then the equipotential lines were found starting at 5 V then 2 V and up to 7 V using the probe and
marked at every
45°
. Just as in Investigation 1, one partner did the measurements while the other put
pressure down on the ring to ensure solid contact everywhere. Measured points were connected to the
equipotential lines which happen to be roughly circular. The
࠵?
(
distance was found from the coordinate
origan to the equipotential lines, for each coordinate axis to get four distance measurements: r1 to r4. The
average radial distance
࠵?
#&’
was found using the following equation:
࠵?
#&’
=
࠵?
)
+ ࠵?
%
+ ࠵?
*
+ ࠵?
+
4
(7)
The error in the average value δr for each equipotential lines using the following equation:
y =
- 100
-160
-140
-120
-100
-80
-60
-40
-20
0
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
0.14
Electric Field E (V/m)
Position x (m)
Electric Field vs Average x
Experimental
Theoretical
Linear (Theoretical)
࠵?࠵?
#&’
=
1
√4
4
(࠵?
)
− ࠵?)
%
+ (࠵?
%
− ࠵?)
%
+ (࠵?
*
− ࠵?)
%
+ (࠵?
+
− ࠵?)
%
4
(8)
Then the Theoretical Voltage (V) was found using the following equation:
࠵?
,-
=
ln E
࠵?
࠵?
G
ln E
࠵?
࠵?
G
࠵?
.
(9)
Then the Theoretical Electric field was calculated using the following formula:
࠵?(࠵?) =
࠵?
.
ln (
࠵?
࠵?
)
1
࠵?
(10)
Table 1:
Data from Investigation 2
࠵?
)
(࠵?)
࠵?
%
(࠵?)
࠵?
*
(࠵?)
࠵?
+
(࠵?)
࠵?
#&’
(࠵?)
࠵?࠵?
#&’
(࠵?)
V (V)
δV (V)
0.074
0.077
0.092
0.076
0.080
0.00025
2
0.02
0.053
0.073
0.066
0.058
0.063
0.00025
3
0.03
0.044
0.06
0.051
0.048
0.051
0.00025
4
0.04
0.034
0.041
0.045
0.038
0.040
0.00025
5
0.05
0.031
0.032
0.029
0.025
0.029
0.00025
6
0.06
0.02
0.023
0.026
0.02
0.022
0.00025
7
0.07
Table 2
: More data for Investigation 2
࠵?
$
࠵?࠵?
0
1/࠵?
$
(1/m)
࠵?(
)
1
!
)
(1/m)
E(V/m)
࠵?࠵?
(V/m)
Theoretical
Voltage (V)
Theoretical E
(V/m)
0.071
0.050
14.1
0.052
59.2
4.72
1.26
80.8
0.057
0.040
17.7
0.071
74.4
4.65
2.28
103.1
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
0.045
0.032
22.2
0.067
93.3
4.74
3.16
127.0
0.034
0.024
29.1
0.059
122.5
4.84
4.22
163.1
0.026
0.018
38.8
0.053
163.5
4.78
5.48
220.3
0.011
0.0079
89.9
0.065
378.5
8.42
6.63
289.6
A plot of V vs. average radius (
࠵?
#&’
) was made using the logarithmic line compared to the linear one
because equipotential lines are curved due to the circular brass electrode. The experimental and
theoretical values do not each other and do not fall within uncertainty because the errors bars do not
encompass each other.
Figure 3:
Voltage (V) vs. average radius (ravg)
The electric field was then calculated using equation (9). The location rE is approximately halfway
between the equipotential lines. The values of 1/re were found by calculating the midpoint of the
equipotential lines and dividing by 1. Then a plot of E vs. 1/re was made. The experimental slope
calculated using IPL straight line of fit calculator, which was found to be,
4.21 ࠵? ± 0.116 ࠵?
These values
do not encompass the uncertainty of the theoretical line.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
0.000
0.010
0.020
0.030
0.040
0.050
0.060
0.070
0.080
0.090
Voltage (V)
average radius (m)
Voltage vs Average Radius
Experimental
Theoretical
Log. (Experimental)
Log. (Theoretical )
Figure 4:
Electric Field E vs 1/rE
Conclusion
The relationship between electric field and electric potential was highlighted by parallel electrodes
placed 10cm apart. The left one was the grounded one, x=0 while the one on the right was set to x=d. The
probe was used to locate the equipotential lines between 2 V and 8 V. The 5 V line was expected to be
right in the middle and parallel because it was directly in the center of the field. The distance between the
grounded electrode and the equipotential lines was measured. Then the average position was calculated.
Then a plot of V vs. x and E vs. x was made to highlight that voltage increases the closer it gets to the
positive terminal and that the electric field between two electrodes remains constant. The experimental
slope for V vs. X was found to be
92.0 ࠵?/࠵? ± 1.19 ࠵?/࠵?
from IPL straight line of fit calculator and the
theoretical was mapped on the graph. The experimental slope was not within uncertainty which could
have been because of human error in measuring the equipotential lines. Using IPL again the slope of the E
vs. x graph was found to be
165.0 ࠵?/࠵?
%
± 107.2 ࠵?/࠵?
%
which does not fall within uncertainty. This
could have been because of errors is measuring which effected the E field calculations. Some potential
improvements could have been using a thinner pencil to decrease the error in distance measurement or
simply just taking longer to precisely measure each line.
In Investigation 2, a different part of the black conducting paper was used, and two circular brass
electrodes were used. An x-y coordinate system was made and the radius of the center electrode
a
was
measured to be
0.01 ± 0.0005 ࠵?
and the outer electrode
b,
was measured to be
0.1075 ± 0.0005 ࠵?
. A
plot of V vs. Average radius was made with a logarithmic tread line to highlight that equipotential lines
are curved because of the circular brass electrode. The experimental slope was found, and it was not
within uncertainty because the error bars don’t encompass the theoretical tread line. Then a graph of E vs.
1/re was made and the experimental slope was found to be,
4.21 ࠵? ± 0.116 ࠵?
. These values are within
0
50
100
150
200
250
0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
E-Field (V/m)
1/rE (1/m)
Electric Field vs 1/electric field radius
Experimental
Theoretical
Linear (Experimental )
Linear (Theoretical)
uncertainty. A thinner grease pencil would have been better to decrease error in measurements and better
draw the equipotential lines.
Questions
1.
Since potential difference and electric field are proportional to one another the appearance of lines
would stay the same.
2.
This would happen to produce a systematic error.
3.
The average electric field in the fringe region would be smaller than the central because the
equipotential lines become greater the further the probe moves from the center electrode.
4.
If the power supply stays 10 V while the distance d is halved the magnitude of the electric field
would double because distance and electric field happen to be inversely proportional.
5.
c.) it changes but it neither doubles nor becomes half
This is true since in Investigation 2 the equation is more complex than that of the one used in the
first Investigation.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Related Documents
Related Questions
A small, square loop carries a 46 A current. The on-axis magnetic field strength 49 cm from the loop is 6.2 nT .
What is the edge length of the square?
Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.
arrow_forward
D
B field of a current carrying wire e
A straight wire of length 1.25m carries a 75 A current and makes a 30
degree angle with a uniform magnetic field. If the force on the wire is
measured to be 5.0 N, what is the magnitude of B (in Teslas).ong is the
arrow_forward
An electron starts from rest. There are two charged plates, 12 cm apart, which an electric field strength of 175 N/C, that accelerate an electron into a magnetic field, which has a field strength of 0.260T (refer to the diagram below)
(a) What is the speed of the electron as it leaves the plates/ enters the magnetic field
(b) What is the magnetic force acting on the electron when it is in the magnetic field
(c) What is the radius of the path the electron takes in the magnetic field (Draw the path the electron takes/ state initial direction of turn)
arrow_forward
One of the following is not a source of magnetostatic fields:
(a) A dc current in a wire
(b) A permanent magnet
(c) An accelerated charge
(d) An electric field linearly changing with time
(e) A charged disk rotating at uniform speed
arrow_forward
Please see the attached image.
arrow_forward
Please help stuck
arrow_forward
Energy is stored in the in the form of a magnetic field inside of a magnet but not outside of a magnet.
Select one:
True
False
arrow_forward
UPVOTE WILL BE GIVEN. PLEASE WRITE THE COMPLETE SOLUTIONS LEGIBLY. NO LONG EXPLANATIONS NEEDED. ANSWER IN 4 DECIMAL PLACES.
arrow_forward
A)The left hand rule for a coil is such that if you were to hold a coil in your left hand with your fingers pointing in the direction of the electron flow, your thumb would point in the direction of thea) electron flow b) flow lines c) face of the north pole d) none of the above.
B) What is a magnetic flux line?a) It is the space around a magnet or the space in which the magnetic forces act.b) It is the magnetic force that has a definite direction at all points along a curved line from the north to south pole.c) It is the ability of a magnetic material to be easily magnetized.d) none of the above
C)It is believed that a magnetic material is .........a) consists of a single large magnetic molecule b) is composed of many tiny magnetic molecules c) consists of a single non-magnetic molecule d) none of the above
arrow_forward
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you

Introductory Circuit Analysis (13th Edition)
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9780133923605
Author:Robert L. Boylestad
Publisher:PEARSON

Delmar's Standard Textbook Of Electricity
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9781337900348
Author:Stephen L. Herman
Publisher:Cengage Learning

Programmable Logic Controllers
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9780073373843
Author:Frank D. Petruzella
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9780078028229
Author:Charles K Alexander, Matthew Sadiku
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education

Electric Circuits. (11th Edition)
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9780134746968
Author:James W. Nilsson, Susan Riedel
Publisher:PEARSON

Engineering Electromagnetics
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9780078028151
Author:Hayt, William H. (william Hart), Jr, BUCK, John A.
Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,
Related Questions
- A small, square loop carries a 46 A current. The on-axis magnetic field strength 49 cm from the loop is 6.2 nT . What is the edge length of the square? Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.arrow_forwardD B field of a current carrying wire e A straight wire of length 1.25m carries a 75 A current and makes a 30 degree angle with a uniform magnetic field. If the force on the wire is measured to be 5.0 N, what is the magnitude of B (in Teslas).ong is thearrow_forwardAn electron starts from rest. There are two charged plates, 12 cm apart, which an electric field strength of 175 N/C, that accelerate an electron into a magnetic field, which has a field strength of 0.260T (refer to the diagram below) (a) What is the speed of the electron as it leaves the plates/ enters the magnetic field (b) What is the magnetic force acting on the electron when it is in the magnetic field (c) What is the radius of the path the electron takes in the magnetic field (Draw the path the electron takes/ state initial direction of turn)arrow_forward
- One of the following is not a source of magnetostatic fields: (a) A dc current in a wire (b) A permanent magnet (c) An accelerated charge (d) An electric field linearly changing with time (e) A charged disk rotating at uniform speedarrow_forwardPlease see the attached image.arrow_forwardPlease help stuckarrow_forward
- Energy is stored in the in the form of a magnetic field inside of a magnet but not outside of a magnet. Select one: True Falsearrow_forwardUPVOTE WILL BE GIVEN. PLEASE WRITE THE COMPLETE SOLUTIONS LEGIBLY. NO LONG EXPLANATIONS NEEDED. ANSWER IN 4 DECIMAL PLACES.arrow_forwardA)The left hand rule for a coil is such that if you were to hold a coil in your left hand with your fingers pointing in the direction of the electron flow, your thumb would point in the direction of thea) electron flow b) flow lines c) face of the north pole d) none of the above. B) What is a magnetic flux line?a) It is the space around a magnet or the space in which the magnetic forces act.b) It is the magnetic force that has a definite direction at all points along a curved line from the north to south pole.c) It is the ability of a magnetic material to be easily magnetized.d) none of the above C)It is believed that a magnetic material is .........a) consists of a single large magnetic molecule b) is composed of many tiny magnetic molecules c) consists of a single non-magnetic molecule d) none of the abovearrow_forward
arrow_back_ios
arrow_forward_ios
Recommended textbooks for you
- Introductory Circuit Analysis (13th Edition)Electrical EngineeringISBN:9780133923605Author:Robert L. BoylestadPublisher:PEARSONDelmar's Standard Textbook Of ElectricityElectrical EngineeringISBN:9781337900348Author:Stephen L. HermanPublisher:Cengage LearningProgrammable Logic ControllersElectrical EngineeringISBN:9780073373843Author:Frank D. PetruzellaPublisher:McGraw-Hill Education
- Fundamentals of Electric CircuitsElectrical EngineeringISBN:9780078028229Author:Charles K Alexander, Matthew SadikuPublisher:McGraw-Hill EducationElectric Circuits. (11th Edition)Electrical EngineeringISBN:9780134746968Author:James W. Nilsson, Susan RiedelPublisher:PEARSONEngineering ElectromagneticsElectrical EngineeringISBN:9780078028151Author:Hayt, William H. (william Hart), Jr, BUCK, John A.Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,

Introductory Circuit Analysis (13th Edition)
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9780133923605
Author:Robert L. Boylestad
Publisher:PEARSON

Delmar's Standard Textbook Of Electricity
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9781337900348
Author:Stephen L. Herman
Publisher:Cengage Learning

Programmable Logic Controllers
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9780073373843
Author:Frank D. Petruzella
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9780078028229
Author:Charles K Alexander, Matthew Sadiku
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education

Electric Circuits. (11th Edition)
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9780134746968
Author:James W. Nilsson, Susan Riedel
Publisher:PEARSON

Engineering Electromagnetics
Electrical Engineering
ISBN:9780078028151
Author:Hayt, William H. (william Hart), Jr, BUCK, John A.
Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,