Mapua University

Senior High School

Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics

PHY02/IS224
EXPERIMENT NO.2
COULOMBS LAW: ELECTRIFYING ELECTROSTATICS
Caronan, Ethan Rois
Haguy, Eryn Micaila
Intal, Joaquin Luis
Magat, Rolando
Manguray, Andrei Ralfhaell
Torayno, Daena Carleigh
Velayo, Edrhon Jacob

Instr. Catherine Nicole Chinel

ABSTRACT

The Labster simulation entitled ‘Coulomb's Law: Electrifying Electrostatics, researchers will discover
in this simulation how charges interact via the electrostatic force, how various circumstances affect that
force's strength, and how to calculate its direction. As the researchers progressed into the experiment, Dr.
One explained and asked questions relevant to the topics that were discussed. With the use of realistic
scientific tools and with the freedom to experiment with various values of the parameters, data is
measured, gathered, and graphed to determine the impact of distance and charge on the electrostatic
force via entertaining images and engaging exercises, the researchers can see how the charges' signals
affect the force. With the aid of a realistic lab setting and without the dangers that harnessing electricity
in real life involves, this simulation enables the researchers to assess the impact of Coulomb's law. The
simulation takes through escalating levels of mathematization, starting with measurable physical
phenomena and illuminating the physical significance of Coulomb's law's algebraic expression. By the
end of the experiment, the researchers were able to deepen their knowledge and developed a qualitative
and quantitative understanding of Coulomb's law.

Keywords: Coulomb’s Law, Electrostatic force, Electrons.

Velayo, Edrhon

Introduction
Coulomb's law indicates that the force of
attraction or repulsion between two charged
bodies is inversely proportional to the square of
the distance between them and directly
proportional to the product of their charges. It
operates on the segment connecting the two
charges regarded as point charges. Coulomb's
Law is applied to determine the electrostatic
force between two stationary charges. The
scientist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb who
created this law is honored by its name. This
law states that the following formulas can be
used to determine how much force is produced
between electrically charged objects:
Figure 1. Coulomb's Law Formula
The Coulomb's Law constant, or value k, is a
proportionality constant that relies on the
medium in which the charged substances are
placed. An essential aspect of Coulomb's Law
is that the charges can cause the electrostatic
force to produce either attraction or repulsion.
The two charges Q1 and Q2 repel one another
depending on whether one is positive or
negative (missing or extra electrons). On the
other hand, if one charge is positive and the
other negative, the items will be drawn to one
another. The study of electrical charges at rest is
the subject of electrostatics, a branch of
physics. The charge is referred to as an electric
charge in physics. It is the property of matter
that is subjected to a force when placed in an
electromagnetic field. There are two kinds of
charges: positive charges and negative charges.
Both have the same number of charges but have
opposite signs.
Figure 2. Attraction and Repulsion of
Charges
Figure 3, which illustrates the similarity
between Newton's Universal Gravitation and
Coulomb's Law, makes an interesting
observation. The second example depicts a
force produced between two masses, whereas
the first one depicts a force produced between
two charges. This figure was seen in the Labster
simulation that later on will be interacted with
by the researchers.
Figure 3. Coulomb and Newton
Haguy, Eryn Micaila E.
Materials and Methods
In the Labster simulation, Coulomb's
experiment measures the electrostatic force
between two charged spheres. In 1785,
Charles-Augustin de Coulomb used a torsion
balance to conduct the first experiment. After
that, there have been numerous interpretations
of the experiment since then.
The experimental setup consists of:
● Digital scale
● Two conductive spheres, connected to
an insulating rod which it can be
handled without risk of discharge
● Measuring rod with support
● Method for transferring charge
According to Coulomb's law, the reading on
the scale will measure the electrostatic force
and will differ with the charges of the spheres
and the distance with both their centers (See
Figure 4.). The magnitude of the electrostatic
force will be indicated on the scale by a minus
sign if the spheres attract and a plus sign if
they repel.

Figure 5.2. Electrostatic force (Fe) vs. charge

(q1) graph

Figure 4. Coulomb’s Law Apparatus

To begin with, the researchers are tasked to

study the electrostatic force’s magnitude and
direction. In the experiment there are three
variables, which are electrostatic force (Fe),
charges (q1 and q2) and distance. These
variables were obtained and graphed with the
help of the Coulomb’s Law apparatus (See
Figure 4.).

Figure 5.3. Electrostatic force (Fe) vs. charge

(q2) graph

Later on, the researchers were now tasked to

classify the variables on the cards by their effect
on the electrostatic force in the big screen. (See
Figure 6.)

Figure 5.1. Electrostatic force (Fe) vs.

distance (r) graph

Figure 6. Strength of the electrostatic force

with the three variables.
The reseasrchers were now tasked at the big
screen to discover charge interaction (See
Figure 7.). Different interactions of positive and
negative charges were shown in the screen and
how they attract or repel each other.
Results and Discussion
The researchers will record three values of the
electrostatic force for three different values of
the distance (r), charge 1 (q1) and 2(q2) and it is
shown in Figures 9.1-9.4. While the researchers
are performing the experiment, it is seen how
the strength of the electrostatic force changes
with the distance between the center of the
spheres.

Figure 7. Charge Interaction in the big

screen.

Figure 9.1. Electrostatic force (Fe) vs.

distance (r) graph

Figure 8. Direction of the forces.

Lastly, shown in Figure 8, Coulomb's law

specifically states that the electrostatic force Figure 9.2. Electrostatic force (Fe) vs. charge
acts along the line connecting the two charges (q1) graph
and is repelling for charges of the same sign but
attractive for charges of opposite signs. That is,
the electrostatic force attracts charges with
opposite signs but repels charges with the same
sign.

Magat, Rolando
Manguray, Andrei

Figure 9.3. Electrostatic force (Fe) vs. charge

(q2) graph
 Figure 9.4. Negative voltage to the spheres.
After that, the researchers have to discover
what happens if they change the electric charge
of one of the spheres. First, change the voltage
of the tension source to change the charge of
the spheres. Then, record the measurement of
the electro static force for every changed
charge, which are 50kV, 35kV, and 5kV. The
graph in Figure 9.2 and 9.3 is a straight line,
this means that the force is directly proportional
to the charge of the sphere on the scale.
In Figure 10.4, the researchers discovered how
the negative charge will affect the electrostatic
force, spheres, and equations. It was shown that
the scale is not measuring the weight but the
electrostatic force, acting on the sphere on top
of it. Awhile ago, the force was pushing the
sphere down so it had a positive reading. But
now, the electrostatic force is lifting the sphere,
the reading was now negative, which is -5kV.
Figure 10.1 Positive and Negative charges
Figure 10.2 Negative and Negative charges
Figure 10.3 Positive and Positive charges
Before the simulation ends, Dr. One assists you
again to the big screen for the charge interaction
activity (See Figures 10.1-10.3). The red
charges are the positive ones, and the blue ones
were the negative ones. There were arrows to
click on each charge to select which direction of
the electrostatic force experiences it.
Caronan, Ethan Rois
Torayno, Daena Carleigh
Conclusion
Using realistic lab equipment and conducting
experiments freely with different parameter
values. The researchers measured, collected, and
graphed data to determine the effect of distance
and charge on electrostatic force. The impact of
the charges' signs on the force was visualized
using fun graphics and interactive activities. This
simulation allowed the student to measure the
effect of Coulomb's law using a realistic lab
setup without the risks that electricity entails in
real life. The simulation guides the student
through increasing stages of mathematization,
highlighting the physical meaning behind the
algebraic expression of Coulomb's law. In this
laboratory experiment, the researchers have been
able to deepen their knowledge and apply
Coulomb’s law to make predictions about
electrostatic forces between two objects, as well
as the proportionality between the magnitude of
the force, product of charges and the distance
(inverse squared).
Intal, Joaquin Luis

References

Amadeu. (2021, December 9). Coulomb’s Law:

Calculation, Equation and Formula.
Retrieved February 24, 2023, from
https://study.com/academy/lesson/magni
tude-direction-of-the-electric-force-on-a
-point-charge.html /

Coulomb’s law: Electrifying Electrostatics | Try

Virtual Lab. (n.d.). Coulomb’s Law:
Electrifying Electrostatics | Labster
Virtual Labs.
https://www.labster.com/simulations/co
ulombs-law-electrifying-electrostatics

Coulomb’s law - Labster Theory. (2022, July

20).
https://theory.labster.com/coulombs_law
/

Coulomb’s experiment - Labster Theory. (2022,

July 20).
https://theory.labster.com/coulombs_exp
eriment/