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Physics Worksheet

Graphing Electric Fields

PURPOSE

To get a better understanding of electric fields through a graphical representation.

MATERIALS

Data table, Excel Application.

THEORY

A charge (q) creates an electric field (E) a distance (r) from it. The magnitude of
this electric field is given as:

ke q 9 2 2
E= 2
, where k e =9 x 10 N m /C (1)
r

An electric field exists in any region where there is an electrical force on a

charge. The direction of the electric field at any point is the direction of the force (F) on
a positive test charge (qo) placed at that point. The magnitude of this force is:

F=q o E (2)

An equipotential line (or surface) is a line in which the electric potential is the
same everywhere on that line. That is, the points on the equipotential line are where a
charge experiences the same electrical force.

E
r

q
PROCEDURE

In this experiment, an electrical field is created by a 2 nC charge. Make a plot of

the electric field as a function of distance r for the values shown using Excel. Use
equation (1).

r (meters) E (N/C)
0.40  
0.60  
0.80  
1.00  
1.20  
1.40  
1.60  
1.80  
2.00  
2.20  
2.40  
2.60  
2.80  
3.00  

QUESTIONS
1) Describe what happens to the strength of the electric field as the distance from the
charge creating it increases.

2) What happens to the value of E as r approaches zero?

3) What happens to the value of E as r approaches infinity?