NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

First Year Engineering Course

FE1073: An Introduction to Engineering and Practices

Laboratory Manual

For

Experiment E1

Electric Field

Laboratory : Power and Clean Energy

Design Laboratory

Location: S2-B5c-02

School of Electrical and

Electronics Engineering
[EEE]

Session 2021/2022

(For Safety reasons, student wearing slippers,

sandals, or other loose footwear
are NOT allowed to enter the laboratory)
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FE1073-E1

1. OBJECTIVES

In this experiment, the relationship between the equipotential surfaces and electric field lines in
the region around several different electrode configurations will be investigated. Electrodes
pressed down onto carbon impregnated paper and connected to a direct current power supply,
will simulate statically charged electrodes to accomplish the following objectives:

1.1 Determination of the location of equipotential surfaces in the region around oppositely
charged electrodes by measurements made with a voltmeter.

1.2 Investigation of the shape of the equipotential surfaces for several specific electrode
arrangements.

1.3 Construction of electric field lines from the measured equipotentials by drawing lines
perpendicular to the equipotentials.

1.4 Determination of the dependence of electric field on radial distance for a round electrode
concentric with a ring electrode.

2. THEORY

Consider two electrodes of arbitrary shape some distance apart carrying equal and opposite
charges. There will then exist a fixed potential difference or voltage between the electrodes.
Suppose that this potential difference is 10V. If the electrode with the negative charge is
assumed to be at zero potential, then the electrode with the positive charge is at a potential of
+10V. Given these assumptions, in the space surrounding these electrodes there will exist
points that are at the same potential. For example, for the case described above, there will exist
some points for which the potential is +2V, other points for which the potential is +5V. In a
three-dimensional space, all points at the same potential form a surface, and there will be a
different surface for each value of the potential between 0V and 10V. In fact, there will exist an
infinite number of such surfaces because one could divide the 10V total potential difference
into an infinite number of steps. Each of these surfaces with the same value of potential is
called an equipotential surface. In this experiment, the equipotentials for a few simple, but
often used, electrode configurations will be determined.

In addition to the equipotential surfaces that exist in the region around charged electrodes, an
electric field is also present. By definition, electric field is a vector field, which can be
represented by lines drawn from the positively charged electrode to the negatively charged
electrode. The direction of the electric field lines at every point in space is the direction of the
force that would be exerted on a positive test charge placed at that point in space. To ensure
that the test charge does not disturb the other charges, the test charge must be small. In fact, in
the exact definition, the limit must be taken as the test charge approaches zero. The magnitude
of the electric field is the force per unit charge acting on the positive test charge as the
magnitude of the test charge approaches zero. The units of electric field are N/C. The number
of field lines per unit area at a given point is a measure of the magnitude of the electric field.
Thus, a region where there are a large number of lines per unit area is a region of large electric
field.
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The electric field lines must always exist in a fixed geometrical relationship with the
equipotential surface for any electrode configuration. Simply stated, the relationship is that the
electric field lines are everywhere perpendicular to the equipotential surfaces. Since the
electrodes themselves are equipotential surfaces, the electric field lines must also intersect the
electrodes perpendicularly. This is usually a very helpful guide when attempting to determine
the shape of electric fields around an electrode arrangement.

If the change in potential ∆V, is measured between two points separated by a displacement ∆x,
then the magnitude of the electric field E, is approximately evaluated by:

ΔV
E=-
Δx (1)

To be exact, the limit of Eq. (1) must be taken as ∆x  0, but Eq. (1) can be useful as an
approximation if ∆x is small. According to Eq. (1), if ∆V > 0 for a ∆x in a given direction, then
E is in opposite direction to the displacement ∆x ; but if ∆V < 0, then the field is in the direction
of ∆x. Eq. (1) also shows that another proper unit for the electric field is V/m. Another
important fact that can be seen from Eq. (1) is that it takes no work to move an electric charge
on an equipotential surface, because along the equipotential, ∆V = 0, and thus E = 0 along the
equipotential surface.

With the electrodes pressed onto a two-dimensional carbon paper, they represent a slice taken
through a real three-dimensional electrode configuration. As a result, the equipotentials
mapped in this experiment will be equipotential lines rather than surfaces. A direct-current
power supply will provide the source of potential difference and will serve to keep the voltage
between the two electrodes fixed at whatever value is chosen from the power supply. The
electrode to which the negative terminal of the power supply is attached will arbitrarily be
chosen to be the zero of potential, and all measurements will be made relative to that electrode.
The apparatus used in the laboratory is shown in Figure 1. A voltmeter will then be used to
find the points on the paper in the region of the electrodes that are at some given values of
potential. Once enough points at a potential have been located to establish the shape of the
equipotential, the equipotential line can be constructed by joining the points with a smooth
curve. The number of data points needed to establish the shape must be decided by the student.

3. EQUIPMENT LIST

3.1 Direct current power supply (10V, low current)

3.2 High-impedance voltmeter

3.3 Carbon papers

3.4 A kit consisting of different electrodes. This kit enables the investigation of various
equipotentials and electric fields arising from electrodes of different configurations
using only a low electrode voltage (10V). The kit consists of the following parts:

1 Grid plate (16cm x 12cm)

2 Universal holder
2 Straight electrodes
2 Round electrodes
1 Ring electrode
2 Crocodile clips
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4. EXPERIMENT

In this experiment, the equipotential and electric field lines will be determined for the
electrode configurations shown in Figure 2.

Voltmeter

DC Power Supply
+
Voltage probe
+
-

Carbon paper

Figure 1 Equipotential mapping apparatus.

0V +10V 0V
0V +10V +10V

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 2 Electrode configurations: (a) two straight electrodes, (b) two round electrodes and
(c) a round and a ring electrodes.
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4.1 Determination of equipotential lines between two straight electrodes

4.1.1 Place a piece of carbon paper on the polycarbonate plate. Next, place two
straight electrodes (Figure 2(a)) on the carbon paper. Make sure that the
electrodes are aligned parallel. Press the electrodes down uniformly and
firmly with the knurled screw. Draw the outlines of the electrodes on the
carbon paper, loosen the knurled screw slightly and withdraw the carbon
paper.

4.1.2 Carefully fill in the marked fields with a soft pencil (the graphite gives an
improved contact between the electrodes and the carbon paper). Push the
carbon paper into its original position underneath the electrodes and tighten
the knurled screws uniformly.

4.1.3 Apply a DC power supply of 10V to the electrodes using the crocodile clips.
Connect the negative voltmeter lead to the electrode that is connected to the
negative output of the DC power supply (which is considered as the zero
potential) and measure the voltage using the voltage probe (knitting needle)
that is connected to the positive lead of the voltmeter.

4.1.4 Mark on the carbon paper with a sharp pencil several points having the same
potential of 1.5V. Similarly, mark the same potential points for 3.5V, 5V,
6.5V and 8.5V. For each equipotential, obtain enough points to define the
shape of that equipotential line clearly.

4.1.5 Loosen the electrodes and withdraw the carbon paper. Construct the different
equipotential lines by joining the points having the same potential with a
smooth curve.

4.2 Determination of equipotential lines between two round electrodes

4.2.1 Follow the same experimental procedure given in sections 4.1.1 – 4.1.5 to
determine the equipotential lines of two round electrodes (Figure 2(b)).

4.3 Determination of equipotential lines between a round and a ring electrodes

4.3.1 Follow the same experimental procedure given in sections 4.1.1 – 4.1.5 to
determine the equipotential lines of a round and a ring electrodes (Figure
2(c)). In this experiment, connect the round electrode to the positive output of
the DC power supply, and the ring electrode to the negative output of the DC
power supply. Unlike in section 4.1.4, mark on the carbon paper with a sharp
pencil several points having the same potential of 2V, 4V, and 6V.

Note: You may draw the diameter line for experiment 4.4 when you took out
the carbon paper to fill the marked fields.
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4.4 Determination of the strength of electric field

4.4.1 For the electrode configuration shown in Figure 2(c), determine the
difference in potential ∆V at different radial distances r measured from the
center round electrode. Record the values in Table 1 of Log Sheet 1. To
perform this measurement, first indicate the positions of different r on the
carbon paper. Next, use the two pins that are separated apart by an insulating
material at a fixed distance x  0.0025 m . Connect the two pins to the
voltmeter. Place the two pins along any radial direction at different positions
r and read the potential difference ∆V. For each measurement, ensure that the
gap between the two pins is as precisely centered on each position r as
possible. Figure 3 illustrates the measurement.

4.4.2 Loosen the electrodes and withdraw the carbon paper.

x
Two pins with fixed
distance
Voltmeter

r -
-

Carbon paper

Figure 3. Measurement of V at different distances r.

5. ELECTRIC FIELD

In general, electric field lines are everywhere perpendicular to equipotential surfaces. As our
electrodes are confined to the plane of the paper, the equipotentials are lines, but it is still true
that the electric field lines are everywhere perpendicular to these equipotential lines. For each
set of electrodes investigated in section 4.1 to 4.3, draw a set of lines that are perpendicular to
your measured equipotential lines. These are the electric field lines. Place arrows on them to
indicate their direction from positive charge to negative charge. Distinguish them in some
way from the equipotential lines, either by dotting the lines or drawing them in a different
color.
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6. CALCULATIONS

For the measurements made in section 4.4, calculate the approximate value of E, given by
∆V/∆x, at each point r. Record the values of E in Calculations Table 1 of LOG SHEET 1.

Plot the electric field E versus the inverse of r (i.e. 1/r ) on LOG SHEET 2. Draw a best
fitted straight line for the data and determine its slope and intercept. Record them in LOG
SHEET 2.

7. FORMAL REPORT

7.1 Discuss the possible sources of errors that may be involved in this experiment.

7.2 For the electrode configuration shown in Figure 2(c), derive an expression for the radial
electric field at points between the two electrodes as a function of the radial distance
r. Comment on whether the experimental results obtained for the electric field versus
distance follow the theoretical expression. If not, explain why.

7.3 In this experiment, the equipotential lines and electric fields are determined for the
different electrode configurations in a two-dimension plane. Discuss the shapes of the
corresponding equipotential surfaces and electric fields in the case of a three-
dimensional space. Assume that the equivalent of the electrodes shown in Figures
2(a), (b) and (c) in a 3-dimensional space are respectively two infinite parallel
charged plates, two point charges, a charge point concentric with a hollow charged
sphere.

The report length should not be more than 15 pages.

8. REFERENCES

[1] R. A. Serway & R. J. Beichner, 2004, “Physics for Scientists and Engineers with
Modern Physics”, 6th Edition, Saunders College Publishing.

[2] E. R. Jones & R. L. Childers, 2000, “Contemporary College Physics”, McGraw Hill.
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Experiment E1: Electric Field

DATA SHEET 1

Name : __________________________________________ Date : ______________

Group : ______________ Serial Number : _____________

Table 1 Calculations Table 1

r (m) ∆V (V) 1/r (m-1) E = ∆V / ∆x (V/m)

0.010

0.013

0.016

0.019

0.021

0.024

Note : r is measured from the center of round electrode

∆x = _______________ m
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DATA SHEET 2

Slope = ___________________________

Intercept = ________________________
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DATA SHEET 3

Answer the following questions:

(1) Refer to the electrode configuration shown in Figure 2(b), which is also reproduced in Figure 4.
Point A in Figure 4 represents a point halfway between the edge of the positive electrode and the
8.5V equipotential on the plot of your data. Calculate the electric field EA at point A along the
line joining the two electrodes using Eq. (1). Note that the value of V is given by the difference
in potential between the positive electrode and 8.5V. Since the positive electrode has a potential
of 10V, then V =1.5V. The value of x is the distance between the edge of the positive electrode
and the 8.5V equipotential point measured along the line joining the two electrodes. In a similar
manner, calculate the field EC at point C, which is halfway between the edge of the negative
electrode and the 1.5V equipotential point. Point B is at the center of the electrodes. Calculate EB
using V between the 3.5V and the 6.5V equipotential points, and using for x the distance
between these equipotential points measured.

+ A B C -

Figure 4 Point A is near the positive electrode, point C is near the negative electrode,
and point B is at center.

EA = _____________ V/m EB = ____________ V/m EC = _____________ V/m

(2) Are the results for the E field at points A, B, and C in Question (1) consistent with what you
would expect for the relative values at these points? State your reasoning.
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(3) According to theory, the E field in the region between the plates in the electrode configuration
shown in Figure 2(a) should be uniform. Calculate the E field using Eq. (1) at points A, B and C
defined by Figure 5 below using the same procedure as in Question 1.

Positive
C
B
A
Negative

Figure 5 Point A is near the negative electrode, and displaced slightly to the left from the
center, point C is near the positive electrode, and displaced the same amount in the other
direction, and Point B is at center in the middle.

EA = _____________ V/m EB = _____________ V/m EC = ______________ V/m

(4) Are the values for the E field at the points in Question (3) approximately constant within the
experimental uncertainty?
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(5) According to theory, the electric field E for the electrode configuration shown in Figure 2(c)
should be proportional to 1/r, where r is the radial distance measured from the center electrode.
Considering the experimental data obtained, comment on whether or not your data confirms this
dependence.