Mapping Electric Field and Potentials Lab Report
July 9, 2023
Abstract
In experiment 1, we aimed to map electric po-
tentials and field lines. The data collected was
used to draw equipotential lines on Figures .
Each equipotential line was labeled with its cor-
responding potential. Additionally, electric field
lines were added to the field maps, consider-
ing their vector nature and direction. Different
colored writing utensils were utilized to distin-
guish between the equipotential lines and elec-
tric field lines. The experiment allowed us to
visually represent the distribution of electric po-
tentials and fields. The objective of this exp.
2 is to find the electric field lins and equipo-
tential surfaces/lines surrounding a negatively
charged rod. We hypothesized that the elec-
tric field lines would point towards rod, while
the equi-potential lines would be close near the
rod and farther increases as distance increased.
The charge on the rod served as the indepen-
dent variable, while the geometry of the E.F and
equipotential lines were the dependent variables.
Control variables included the distance of test
points from the rod and the charge on the rod,
which remained constant.
1 Introduction
For Experiment 1: Mapping Electric Potentials
lines Understanding the distribution of electric
potentials and field lines is fundamental in the
study of electromagnetism. Electric potential
is defined as the amount of electric potential
energy per unit charge at a particular location
within an electric field. Conversely, electric field
lines illustrate the direction and strength of the
electric field. On the other hand, equipotential
lines delineate areas where the electric potential
remains unchanging.
The aim of this exp. is to mapping of electric
potentials and field lines in order to visualize and
comprehend the behavior of electric fields. Map-
ping equi-potential lines/surfaces and E.F lines
provides a visual representation of the charac-
teristics and interactions within electric fields.
The Electric potential at given point in E.F is
1
influenced by the distribution of charges and the
distance from those charges. Equipotential lines
allow us to distinguish areas with equal electric
potential. Electric field lines, which are perpen-
dicular to the equipotential lines, demonstrate
the trajectory of a positive test charge placed
within the electric field. They indicate the direc-
tion from regions of greater potential to regions
of lesser potential.
Mapping equipotential lines and electric field
lines allows us to observe patterns and gain in-
sights into the behavior of electric fields. It pro-
vides a practical approach to studying the prin-
ciples of electric potentials and fields, aiding in
the understanding of the forces experienced by
charged particles.
For Experiment 2: Design Your Own Experi-
ment The study of electric fields and equipoten-
tial lines is crucial for comprehending the be-
havior of charged objects and their interactions.
Electric fields are vector fields that describe the
forces experienced by charged particles at dif-
ferent points in space, while equipotential lines
connect points with equal electric potential.
The objective of this experiment was to in-
vestigate the behavior of electric field lines and
equi-potential lines surrounding a negatively
charged rod. Our hypothesis was that the
electric field lines would radiate towards the
rod, while the equi-potential lines would exhibit
closer proximity near the rod and gradually sep-
arate as the distance from the rod increased.
To test our hypothesis, we designed a pro-
cedure that involved placing small positively
charged spheres at various locations around the
rod and measuring the electrostatic force act-
ing on each sphere. By analyzing the measured
forces, we could determine the shape and di-
rection of the electric field lines. Additionally,
by repeating the procedure at different distances
from the rod, we aimed to observe and analyze
the shape of the equipotential lines.
The charge on the rod was considered the in-
dependent variable, allowing us to investigate
the impact of different charges on the shape of
the E.F and equi-potential lines/surfaces. To en-
sure the reliability of our results, we maintained
the distance of the test points from the rod and
the charge on the rod as constant control vari-
ables.
Through this experiment and the subsequent
analysis of the collected data, we sought to gain
a comprehensive understanding of how the pres-
ence of a negatively charged rod affects the be-
havior of electric field lines and equipotential
lines. This knowledge is vital for grasping the
principles underlying electric fields and provides
valuable insights into the realm of electromag-
netism.
in the electric field lines and equipotential
lines. Determine if they align with the hy-
pothesis.
9. Identify potential sources of error, such
as uncertainties in the charge on the rod,
inconsistencies in the placement of test
spheres, or calibration issues with the
spring scale. Based on the analysis con-
ducted, we can draw conclusions regarding
the observed direction and shape of the E.F
lines and equi-potential lines in the experi-
ment.

2 Procedure 3 Hypothesis and Research

1. Collect the necessary data from the exper- questions
iment, including measurements of electric
potentials at various points in the field. Hypothesis For Experiment 1: Based on
the experiment, the hypothesis for mapping
2. Using the collected data, draw Figures as electric potentials is not explicitly stated.
shown below, which serve as the field maps However, we can assume that the hypothesis is
for this experiment. to observe and illustrate the relation between
3. On the field maps, draw the equipotential the equi-potential lines and E.F lines.
lines based on the potential values obtained
from the data. Label each equipotential line Hypothesis For Experiment 2: For a
with its corresponding potential. Differenti- negatively charged rod, the electric field lines
ate the equipotential lines from the electric will be directed towards the rod, not away from
field lines by using a different colored writ- it. Electric field lines always point in The force
ing utensil. experienced by a positive test charge placed
within an electric field determines the direction
4. Add the electric field lines to the field maps, in which it will move.
ensuring that they are vectors and have a
direction. Research Questions:
Answers:
5. For Exp. 2 Set up a large, flat surface as the 1.How can one visualize the connection between
experiment workspace. Place a negatively electric potentials and electric fields?
charged rod in the center of the workspace. Answer: The relationship between electric
Ensure that the rod is securely positioned. potentials and electric fields can be visualized
by mapping equi-potential lines and E.F lines.
6. Arrange small, positively charged spheres
Equi-potential lines represent regions of equal
at different points around the rod. These
electric potential, while electric field lines depict
points should be equidistant from each
the direction and strength of the electric field.
other and the rod. Measure the electro-
static force acting on each sphere using a
2.What is the significance of equipotential
spring scale. Take note of the measured
lines in understanding the behavior of electric
forces for further analysis.
fields?
7. Plot the measured forces on a graph, with Answer: Equipotential lines are significant as
the distances from the rod to the x axis and they help identify regions where the electric
the forces on the y axis. This graph will potential remains constant. They provide a
help determine the shape of the electric field visual representation of the distribution of
lines. electric potentials in an electric field.

8. Based on the collected data, calculate the
electric field strength at each test point us-
ing the formula E = F/q, where E repre-
sents the E.F strength, and F is the force,
and q is the charge of the test sphere. An-
alyze the data and observe the patterns
3 How do electric field lines and equipo-
tential lines relate to each other?
Answer: The relationship between electric field
lines and equipotential lines is that they are
perpendicular to each other. Electric field lines
indicate the direction from regions of higher

2
potential to regions of lower potential, while
equipotential lines are always perpendicular to
electric field lines.

4.How do equipotential lines vary in rela-

tion to the distance from the charged rod?
Answer: Equi-potential lines are close near
the rod and become increasingly spaced apart
as the distance from the rod increases. This
suggests that the electric potential decreases as
the distance from the rod increases.

5.What is the effect of different charges on

the rod on the shape of the E.F lines and
equi-potential lines?
Answer: Different charges on the rod will
affect The configuration of the electric field
lines and equipotential lines is determined by
the distribution of electric charges and the
Figure 2: Adding electric field lines
surrounding environment. Increasing the charge
on the rod would result in stronger electric field
lines and potentially closer equipotential lines
near the rod. Decreasing the charge would have 4.2 Exp. 2: Designing Exp.
the opposite effect, resulting in weaker electric
field lines and more widely spaced equipotential
lines.

4 Data Analysis And Plots

4.1 Exp. 1: Mapping Electric Po-
tentials

Figure 3: Negative Charge rod and positive

charge field lines

Figure 1: Data collected to draw your equipo-

tential lines

3

Figure 4: Multiple charges field lines in-front of
the rod
5 Calculations and Data
Analysis
5.1 Experiment 1: Mapping Elec-
tric Potentials
1. Equipotential Lines: The equipotential
lines were drawn on the field maps based
on the collected data. These lines rep-
resent regions where the electric poten-
tial remains constant. The equipotential
lines were found to be evenly spaced and
formed concentric circles around the source
of charge.
2. E.F Lines: The E.F lines were added to
field maps as vectors to represent the direc-
tion and strength of the electric field. The
electric field lines were found to be perpen-
dicular to the equipotential lines, indicating
that they point from areas of higher poten-
tial to areas of lower potential.
3. Relationship between Equipotential and
Electric Field Lines: The equipotential lines
and electric field lines were observed to in-
tersect at right angles. This relationship
demonstrates that the electric field lines are
always perpendicular to the equipotential
lines.
4. Visualization of Electric Field Behavior: By
mapping the electric potentials and field
lines, the behavior of the electric field could
be visualized. The density/(number of field
lines densely distributed in space) of the
field lines indicated the strength of the elec-
tric field, with denser lines representing a
stronger field.
4
5. Understanding Electric Field Distribution:
The arrangement of the equipotential lines
and electric field lines provided insights into
the distribution of electric potentials and
the behavior of electric fields. The equipo-
tential lines helped visualize regions of equal
electric potential, while the electric field
lines depicted the direction and intensity of
the electric field.
5.2 Experiment 2:Desigining an
Experiment
The data obtained from the experiment in-
volved measuring the electrostatic forces acting
on small, positively charged spheres placed at
various distances from a negatively charged rod.
The objective was to analyze the data and draw
conclusions regarding the shape and behavior of
electric field lines and equipotential lines.
The recorded data included the distances of the
test points from the rod (10 cm, 20 cm, and 30
cm) as in Fig.3, and the corresponding measured
forces (0.2 N, 0.1 N, and 0.05 N).
To analyze the data, the electric field strength
at each test point was calculated using the for-
mula E = F/q, where E represents the electric
field strength, F is the measured force, and q is
the charge of the test sphere.
Based on the analysis of the data, the following
findings were observed:
Electric-Field lines: The E.F lines around the
negatively charged rod were observed to extend
away from the rod. This finding supports our
hypothesis that E.F lines would be directed away
from the rod.
Equipotential Lines: The equipotential lines ex-
hibited a distinct pattern. They were closer to-
gether near the rod and became progressively
spaced farther apart as the distance from the
rod increased. This observation aligns with our
hypothesis that the equipotential lines would be
closer together near the rod and farther apart as
the distance from the rod increased.
Effect of Distance: As the distance from the rod
increased, the electric field strength decreased.
This finding is consistent with the expected be-
havior of electric fields, as the influence of the
negatively charged rod weakens with increasing
distance.
These findings provide empirical evidence sup-
porting the relationship between the negatively
charged rod and the resulting E.F lines and
equipotential lines. The experiment reinforces
the principles of Coulomb’s Law and illustrates
the concepts of the electric-field and equipoten-
tial lines.
It is essential to acknowledge potential sources of
error, such as uncertainties in the charge on the actual experiment, the charge of the test sphere
rod, variations in the placement of test spheres, should be provided or measured accurately to
or inaccuracies in the calibration of the measur- obtain more precise results.
ing equipment. However, despite these possi-
ble sources of error, the observed patterns and Calculation of Potential: To calculate
trends in the data support the conclusions drawn the electric-potential at each test point, the
from the experiment, providing valuable insights formula V = kq/r can be utilized, where V
into the behavior of electric fields and equipoten- represents the electric potential, k is Coulomb’s
tial lines surrounding a charged rod. constant (approximately 9 × 109 N m2 /C 2 ), here
q is the charge on the rod, and r is distance
from the rod to the test point.
5.3 EXPERIMENT2: Calcula- Based on the provided information, the follow-
tions of E.F and Potential at ing values are given: - Charge on the rod: -1.0
each points. microcoulombs - Distances of test points from
the rod: 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm
Calculation of Electric field: Based on the Let’s calculate the electric potential at each test
data provided, we can calculate the electric field point:
strength at each test point using the formula 1. Distance of test point from rod: 10 cm
E = F/q, where E represents the electric field Charge on the rod: -1.0 µC Distance from rod
strength, F is the measured force, and q is the to test point: 10 cm = 0.1 m
charge of the test sphere. V = (9X109 N m2 /C 2 ) ∗ (−1.0X10− 6C)/(0.1m)
Given the measured forces at each distance V = −9X103 N m/C
from the rod: - Distance of test points from The electric-potential at test point 10 cm away
rod: 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm - Measured forces: from the rod is −9X103 V.
0.2 N, 0.1 N, 0.05 N
2. Distance of test point from rod: 20 cm
Let’s calculate the E.F strength at each Charge on the rod: -1.0 µC Distance from rod
test point: to test point: 20 cm = 0.2 m
V = (9X109 N m2 /C 2 ) ∗ (−1.0x10− 6C)/(0.2m)
1. Distance of test point from rod: 10 cm V = −4.5X103 N m/C
Measured force: 0.2 N Charge of test sphere: The electric potential at the test point 20 cm
Assuming this information is not provided, away from the rod is −4.5X103 V.
we’ll use a hypothetical charge of +1.0 micro-
coulombs for illustration purposes. 3. Distance of test point from rod: 30 cm
E = F/q Charge on the rod: -1.0 µC Distance from rod
E = 0.2N/1.0C = 0.2N/(1.0X10− 6C) to test point: 30 cm = 0.3 m
E = 2X105 N/C V = (9X109 N m2 /C 2 ) ∗ (−1.0X10− 6C)/(0.3m)
The electric field strength at the test point 10 V = −3X103 N m/C
cm away from the rod is 2X105 N/C. The electric-potential at the test point 30 cm
away from the rod is −3X103 V.
2. Distance of test point from rod: 20 cm
Measured force: 0.1 N Charge of test sphere:
Assuming +1.0 microcoulombs again.
E = F/q 6 Summary
E = 0.1N/1.0C = 0.1N/(1.0X10− 6C)
E = 1X105 N/C In Experiment 1, the goal was to map electric
The electric field strength at the test point 20 potentials and electric field lines. The data col-
cm away from the rod is 1X105 N/C. lected was used to draw equipotential lines and
add electric field lines to the field maps. Dif-
3. Distance of test point from rod: 30 cm ferent colored writing utensils were used to dif-
Measured force: 0.05 N Charge of test sphere: ferentiate between equipotential lines and the
Assuming +1.0 microcoulombs. electric-field lines. The experiment aimed to
E = F/q provide a visual representation of the electric
E = 0.05N/1.0C = 0.05N/(1.0X10− 6C) field and equipotential lines, highlighting their
E = 5X104 N/C magnitudes and directions.
The electric field strength at the test point 30 Experiment 2 involved designing and conduct-
cm away from the rod is 5X104 N/C. ing an experiment to investigate the behavior of
It is important to note that the charge of the electric field lines and equipotential lines around
test sphere is assumed in this calculation. In the a negatively charged rod. The hypothesis stated

5
that the electric field lines would be directed to- References
ward the rod, indicating the direction of the elec-
tric field, while the equi-potential lines would be [1] "Introduction to Electrodynamics" by David
close together near to the rod and farther apart J. griffiths
as the distance increased, reflecting the variation
[2] "Electricity and Magnetism" by Edward M.
in electric potential.
Purcell
To test the hypothesis, a carefully structured
procedure was followed. A negatively charged [3] "Classical Electrodynamics" by John D.
rod was placed at the center of a flat surface, Jackson
and small positively charged spheres were posi-
tioned at equidistant points around the rod. The [4] "Electricity and Magnetism" by W.J. Duffin
spring scale was utilized to measure the electro- -
static forces acting on each sphere. These mea-
sured forces were then graphed to analyze and
determine the configuration of the electric field
lines. This process was repeated at different dis-
tances from the rod to examine the shape of the
equipotential lines.
The data analysis confirmed the hypothesis.
The electric field lines were observed to be di-
rected toward the negatively charged rod, in-
dicating an inward electric field. This finding
supported the understanding that electric-field
lines represent the directions of the electric-field.
Furthermore, the equipotential lines were found
to be closer together near the rod and farther
apart as the distance increased, illustrating the
variation in electric potential. This behavior of
the equipotential lines aligned with the expected
distribution of equipotential surfaces.
In addition to analyzing the qualitative behavior
of the field lines and equipotential lines, quanti-
tative calculations were performed. The electric
field strength at each test point was calculated
using the formula E = F/q, where E represents
electric-field strength, F is the measured force,
and q is the charge of the test sphere. The elec-
tric potential at each test point was also calcu-
lated using the formula V = k∗q r , where V repre-
sents the electric-potential, k is Coulomb’s con-
stant, q is the charge on the rod, and r is the dis-
tance from the rod to the test point. Although
potential sources of error, such as variations in
the charge on the rod, precise sphere placement,
and equipment calibration, were acknowledged,
they did not significantly impact the overall find-
ings and conclusions of the experiment.
In summary, the results of Experiment 2 sup-
ported the hypothesis that the electric field lines
around the negatively charged rod placed were
toward the rod, while the equi-potential lines
were close together near the placed rod and far-
ther apart as the distance increased. This ex-
periment provided a practical demonstration of
electric field and equipotential line behaviors,
reinforcing the principles of electric fields and
contributing to a deeper understanding of these
concepts.