Electric Field Plotting

Abstract:

The electric field had to be found using the change in voltage and the distance. This was determined using two concentric circles and parallel linear conductors. The equipotential lines were located. This was done using probes to measure the voltage at different points on the conductor paper. The measurements were calculated and graphed which determined the slope of the best fit line. The slope was 1.7 +- .2398 v/cm and the theoretical value was found to be 1.25 v/cm. The results showed, once calculated that there was a 36% discrepancy in the data. The distance of the probe needed to be fund to determine the electric field which was .52 cm. Errors in this experiment could be readings and the determination of the equipotential point. Also, the voltage reading could have been read wrong.

Objectives:

The objectives of this lab were to determine the equipotential lines and the corresponding electric field lines for parallel and concentric conductors in a plane. The electric field (E) was determined by measuring the potential field of each of the configurations.

Procedures:

Two different configurations, parallel linear and two concentric circles, were used in two parts: A and B. first, the spacing between the probe tip was measured calculated to being .52. In part A, a single lead probe was used to measure the potential field of points between the two electrodes. The voltage was then recorded. A graph of Voltage (V) versus x(cm) was then made to demonstrate how the greater the distance the higher the voltage. The separation between the two plates and the potential difference between the plates was measured. The theoretical value was then calculated which was 1.25 v/cm. Next, a few equipotential lines were found and also an equipotential line was found by using the fixed spacing probe.

In part B, the voltmeter was adjusted to 10 volts. The electrodes were used by placing the negative electrode on the outermost circle and placing the positive...