Experiment 2

Electric Field Mapping

Apparatus

Conducting Sheet
Digital Multimeter
Power Supply
Probe and Leads

Reading Assignment

Read related topics from your Physics Textbook.

Introduction

An electric field exists in the space surrounding charges. The field’s strength and direction
depends on the shape, position and magnitude of the charge of the object creating the field. In
this lab we will examine how the shape of the charged objects affect the electric field. We will
use two methods to determine the electric field: the uniformity of an electric field mapping
and the magnitude of electric field from its electric potential.

An electric field mapping contains a sketch of equipotential lines and electric field lines
between the charges. The electric field is uniform if all of the electric field lines are parallel
producing the same density of lines all moving in exactly the same direction. An electric field
mapping shows a non-uniform electric field if the electric field lines point in different
directions and the density of lines vary.

The difference in the electric potential V between two points, A and B is given by
B
∆ V =V B −V A =−∫ ⃗
E . d ⃗s (1)
A

where ⃗ E is the electric field. An equipotential surface (in three dimensions) or equipotential
line (in two dimensions) is defined as the surface or line where the potential is constant. This
implies that
B

0 = V B−V A =−∫ ⃗
E . d ⃗s (2)
A

Since both ⃗E (due to the presence of charge) and d ⃗s are not zero, then, the electric field lines
must be perpendicular to the equipotential surfaces or lines at every point, in order to satisfy
this equation.

It is this fact that allows one to map the electric field lines. By first determining the
equipotential lines for a system of charged conductors embedded in a conducting medium,
one can determine the field directions by drawing lines which intersect the equipotential lines
at right angles.
We will determine the equipotential lines for a system composed of two charged conductors
superimposed on a conducting sheet of paper by directly measuring the potentials of a series
of points distributed in the space between the conductors. Equipotential lines then will be
drawn, and finally, electric field lines will be sketched in.

To determine the uniformity of the electric field map apply the two following concepts about
the electric field lines
a) The density of the electric field lines is the same throughout the field.
b) All the electric field lines point in the exact same direction.
Information about the magnitude of the field can be inferred from the spacing of the
equipotential lines. The closer the lines are to each other, the larger is the magnitude of the
field.

Equation (1) can also be expressed as dV =−⃗

E . d ⃗s

If the electric field has only one component E x , then the above equation yields

dV
E x =−
dx (3)

Equation (2) indicates that the electric field at a given point is the negative of the slope of the
tangent at that point on a V versus x curve.

Procedure

1. Connect the circuit as shown in the Figure.

Power Supply +
(28.0V)

Conducting Ring

Conducting Sheet
++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +++++ + +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +++++ + +
++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++

Conducting Rod Probe

V
2. Switch the power supply on. Set the range switch to 30V, and adjust the voltage so that
the meter reads 28.0V.

3. Set the digital multimeter to 200V DC. Switch the meter on.
4. Touch the probe to the left conducting rod. The meter should read zero volts. Touch the
probe to the conducting ring and the meter should read 28.0V. Adjust the power supply to
get an exact 28.0V reading.
5. Touch the probe to the conducting sheet. Move the probe about until the meter reads 4.0V.
Mark the point on the white sheet. It is better to locate the first point on the central line.
Locate five other points above the center line where the voltage is 4.0V, and mark them
on the white sheet. The points can be reflected to the other side of the center line due to
the symmetry of the electrodes.
6. Repeat step (5) but for meter readings of 8.0V, 12.0V, 16.0V, 20.0V, 24.0V.
7. Connect points with the same potential with a smooth line. This line is an equipotential.
Repeat for the other potentials.
8. Sketch the electric field lines by drawing curves which are normal to the equipotential
lines.
9. Along the center line of the grid paper, measure the potential V between the negative
electrode and the points at distances 3.0, 6.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 13.0, 14.0, and 15.0
cm. Record the results in Table 1.
1. Plot the potential V as a function of the distance x.
Procedural Notes:
a) Hold the probe at 900 to the conductive paper. Hold the probe vertically to the paper
and gently move the end of the probe across the conductive paper. Do not push the
probe into the conductive paper.
b) Do not draw or mark on conductive paper. Draw and mark points on the coordinate
paper given in the laboratory manual.
c) The wiring for this lab is already done. Do not rewire or undo any of the wiring
E