VERIFICATION OF COULOMB’S LAW IN

ELECTROSTATICS
(USING PHET SIMULATION)
Title page

Submitted to:
Department of Physics

Date of submission: 24th March, 2022

 Acknowledgements

I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude and sincere
thanks to _______________ have given this opportunity to prepare this
informative and interactive project report.

My special thanks goes to our Physics Practical group teacher

_____________________ for his invaluable guidance, suggestions and
information on this topic. Also taking this moment to mention my lab teachers for
their guidance and suggestions during our lab sessions throughout the year.

I can’t forget to offer my sincere thanks to all my teachers who have guided, aided,
and suggested me with valuable ideas and corrections and that has made this
project a success.

Lastly, I would like to extend my appreciation to my seniors, friends and

classmates for their guidance, valuable advice and support which I have received
all the time.
 Table of contents

Title page...................................................................................................................i
Acknowledgements..................................................................................................ii
Table of contents....................................................................................................iii

Introduction.............................................................................................................1
Scientific Principles involved:................................................................................3
Objectives.................................................................................................................4
Material used...........................................................................................................4
Methodology/ Techniques.......................................................................................4
Results and Discussion............................................................................................6
Future Scope of Work.............................................................................................9
Conclusions..............................................................................................................9
References..............................................................................................................10
Introduction

Electrostatics simply defined is the branch of physics that studies charges at rest. It deals
with the phenomena and properties of stationary or slow-moving electric charges.
Electrostatic phenomena arise from the forces that electric charges exert on each other
and it exists only when the body is charged, either positively or negatively.
Here, the negative charge only signifies that its nature is opposite to that of the positive
charge. The magnitude of force remains same for both like and unlike charges. Hence,
electric charge is a scalar quantity.
The force exerted by the charges can be calculated by an experimental equation given by
French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, which he published in 1785 AD.
It was previously found independently by Henry Cavendish in early 1700s but wasn’t
published.
Coulomb’s publication was essential to the development of the theory of
electromagnetism. For his contributions, the SI unit of electric charge is named Coulomb
(C) after him; one coulomb is equal to the charge on 6.24 x 1018 protons. 
Coulomb’s law of Electrostatic Force states that “the electrical force between two
charged objects is directly proportional to the product of the quantity of charge on the
objects and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the centers of
the two objects.”
If two point charges q1 and q2 are separated by a distance r. Then by coulombs law, the
electrostatic force F between the charges is:

(a) directly proportional to the product of charges q1 and q2

i.e. F ∝ q1 . q2
(b) inversely proportional to the square of distance
i.e. F ∝ 1/r2

q1q2
Combining the equations, F ∝ 2
r
where
k is a constant of proportionality, called Coulomb’s constant, k= 8.99 x 109 N • m2/C2
F= Electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion
q1= Charge in body 1
q2= Charge in body 2
r= distance between the charged body

If the charges are in vacuum or air,

where ε0 = permittivity of free space/ vacuum/ air, ε0= 8.85 x 10-12 C2/N • m2

In SI units, F is measured in Newton, charge in Coulomb, and distance in meter.

So, putting the value of ε0, k= 8.998 x 109 ~ 9 x 109 C2/N • m2

In CGS system, if charge is in vacuum, k= 1.

q1 . q2
Thus, Coulomb’s law becomes F=
r2

Being an inverse-square law, the law is analogous to Isaac Newton's inverse-square law

of universal gravitation, but gravitational forces are always attractive, while electrostatic
forces can be attractive or repulsive. Coulomb's law can be used to derive Gauss's law,
and vice versa.
However, there are conditions to be satisfied for the Coulomb's inverse square law to be
applicable for any charged bodies:

 The charges must have a spherically symmetric distribution (e.g. point charges, or
a charged metal sphere).
 The charges must not overlap (e.g. they must be distinct point charges).
 The charges must be stationary with respect to one another.
Scientific Principles involved:
It is to be noted that the charged bodies in a system of charges that are very small as
compared to the distance between them are treated as point charges. In such bodies, all
the charges distributed over the surface of the object are assumed to be concentrated at
one point. 
Basic characteristics of charges:

 Charge is a scalar quantity.

 Charge is transferrable, they transfer from one body to another.
 Like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other.
 Charge is always associated with mass.
Properties of Electric Charges:
 Additivity of Electric Charges
Electric charges when they are considered as point charges are scalar in nature. The
additive property of electric charges says that
Q = q1+ q2+ q3+….. qn
 Conservation of Charges
The Conservation of charges says that the
charges are neither created not destroyed.
They can only be transferred from one
body to another. In an Isolated system, the
charges are always conserved.

 Quantization of Charge
According to the quantization of electric charge, Electric charges are the Integral
multiple of the charge present on them, hence, the charges will be,
q = ne
Where, 
 n = Integer numbers
 e = value of the charge (1.6× 10-19 C)

The interaction of multiple charges having these properties is given by Coulomb’s law.
Objectives
The objective of this project is to:
1. Determine the variable factors that affect the electrostatic force (F) between two
charges, q1 and q2.
2. Determine the relationship between Force and magnitude of charges q1 and q2.
3. Establish the relation between the Force and distance of separation (r) between the
charges.
4. Determine if the force is attractive or repulsive.
5. Calculate the value of Coulomb’s constant in air.
6. Know the procedure of using PHET simulations for other experiments.

Material used
We have used virtual simulation for the verification of coulomb’s law. PHET virtual lab
was used which is an interactive tool online that allows variation of charge and distance
between two point charges used to verify the coulombs law.
(Coulomb’s Law - Electrostatics | Electric Force | Force Pairs - PhET Interactive
Simulations, n.d.)

Methodology/ Techniques
By using online PHET simulation, a qualitative & quantitative experiment was carried
out.
1. We varied the charge of one of the spheres while keeping distance constant and
noted down the Electrostatic force between them; either attractive or repulsive.
2. We kept distance constant at 4 cm and varied the charges.

3. Again, at fixed distance 8 cm, we conducted same procedure.

 4. After that, charges were kept constant, distance between them was varied and the
Electrostatic force recorded.

5. Again after that, with varying charges and distances randomly, data was taken to
find the value of k (proportionality constant).
The data observed from the simulation was recorded in tabular form in MS-Excel. The
data was then interpreted as per requirement. Also the result of the data was calculated
graphically.

Results and Discussion

Table 1: Electrostatic force between two point charges with varying magnitude at
fixed distance of 4 cm

Charge1 Charge2 Distance of Electrostatic Force

S.N. |q1. q2| Direction
(q1) (q2) separation (F)
1 -10 µC 10 µC 100 4cm = 0.04 m 561.72 N Towards
2 -10 µC 8 µC 80 4cm = 0.04 m 449.37 N Towards
3 -10 µC 6 µC 60 4cm = 0.04 m 337.03 N Towards
4 -10 µC 4 µC 40 4cm = 0.04 m 224.69 N Towards
5 -10 µC 2 µC 20 4cm = 0.04 m 112.34 N Towards
6 -10 µC 0 µC 0 4cm = 0.04 m 0N --
 7 -10 µC -1 µC 10 4cm = 0.04 m 56.17 N Away
8 -10 µC -3 µC 30 4cm = 0.04 m 168.51 N Away
9 -10 µC -5 µC 50 4cm = 0.04 m 280.86 N Away
10 -10 µC -7 µC 70 4cm = 0.04 m 393.20 N Away
11 -10 µC -9 µC 90 4cm = 0.04 m 505.55 N Away
12 -10 µC -10 µC 100 4cm = 0.04 m 561.72 N Away

Table 2: Electrostatic force between two point charges with varying magnitude at
fixed distance of 8 cm

Charge Charge2 Distance of Electrostatic Force

S.N. |q1. q2| Direction
1 (q1) (q2) separation (F)
1 -10 µC 10 µC 100 8cm = 0.08 m 140.43 N Towards
2 -10 µC 8 µC 80 8cm = 0.08 m 112.34 N Towards
3 -10 µC 6 µC 60 8cm = 0.08 m 84.25 N Towards
4 -10 µC 4 µC 40 8cm = 0.08 m 56.17 N Towards
5 -10 µC 2 µC 20 8cm = 0.08 m 28.08 N Towards
6 -10 µC 0 µC 0 8cm = 0.08 m 0N --
7 -10 µC -1 µC 10 8cm = 0.08 m 14.04 N Away
8 -10 µC -3 µC 30 8cm = 0.08 m 42.12 N Away
9 -10 µC -5 µC 50 8cm = 0.08 m 70.21 N Away
10 -10 µC -7 µC 70 8cm = 0.08 m 98.30 N Away
11 -10 µC -9 µC 90 8cm = 0.08 m 126.38 N Away
12 -10 µC -10 µC 100 8cm = 0.08 m 140.43 N Away
From the data in above Tables 1 and 2, we can see that on keeping the distance of
separation between the centers of the point charges constant, and changing the magnitude
of charges, the change in electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion is directly
proportional to the magnitude of the charge. Also, whether the force is attractive or
repulsive is given by the sign of the point charges; like charges repel, unlike charges
attract.

Graph1: F vs. |q1. q2| graph (Table 1 and Table 2)

 Electrostatic force vs. Product of point charges
(magnitude only)
600

Electrostatic Force (F) N/m2

500

400
0.04 m
300 0.08 m
200

100

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Product of Point charges q1. q2 (in µC2)

Since the graph is linearly increasing, the relation F vs. |q1. q2| is directly proportional.

Table 3: Electrostatic force between two fixed point charges with varying distance

Charge Charge2 Distance of Electrostatic Force

S.N. |q1. q2| Direction
1 (q1) (q2) separation (F)
1 -10 µC 8 µC 80 0.02 m 1797.51 N Towards
2 -10 µC 8 µC 80 0.03 m 798.90 N Towards
3 -10 µC 8 µC 80 0.04 m 449.37 N Towards
4 -10 µC 8 µC 80 0.05 m 287.60 N Towards
5 -10 µC 8 µC 80 0.06 m 199.72 N Towards
6 -10 µC 8 µC 80 0.07 m 146.73 N Towards
7 -10 µC 8 µC 80 0.08 m 112.34 N Towards
8 -10 µC 8 µC 80 0.09 m 88.76 N Towards
9 -10 µC 8 µC 80 0.10 m 71.90 N Towards

From the data in above Table 3, we can see that on taking fixed magnitude of two point
charges, the Electrostatic force of attraction is decreases as the distance is increased.
Graph2: F vs. r graph (Table 3)
 Electrostatic force vs. Distance between point charges
(magnitude only)
2000
1800
1600
Electrostatic Force (F)

1400
1200
1000 80 sq µC
800
600
400
200
0
0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
Distance of separation of charges (in m)

Since the graph forms a parabolic line in decreasing order, the relation F vs. r is inversely
proportional to the square of distances.

Table 4: Electrostatic force between two point charges at varying distance to

calculate the value of k
Charge1 Charge2 Distance of Electrostatic F . r2
S.N. k= Direction
(q1) (q2) separation(r) Force (F) q1 . q2
1 -10 µC 10 µC 4cm 561.72 N 8.987 ×109 Towards
2 -10 µC 8 µC 3cm 798.9 N 8.987 ×109 Towards
3 -10 µC 6 µC 2cm 1348.13 N 8.986 ×109 Towards
4 -8 µC 6 µC 5cm 172.56 N 8.984 ×109 Towards
5 -8 µC 2 µC 4cm 89.87 N 8.987 ×109 Towards
6 -8 µC 8 µC 4cm 359.50 N 8.987 ×109 Towards
7 -8 µC -8 µC 8cm 89.87 N 8.987 ×109 Away
8 -6 µC -6 µC 4cm 202.22 N 8.986 ×109 Away
9 -10 µC -7 µC 4cm 393.20 N 8.987 ×109 Away
10 -10 µC -5 µC 6cm 124.82 N 8.987 ×109 Away

From the data obtained in table 4, the mean value of Coulomb’s constant, k was found to
be near about 8.986×109 ~ 9 ×109.
Future Scope of Work
By this experiment, we have learned how we can verify the Coulomb’s law. Newton’s
Third law of electrostatics is also a factor associated to this experiment. We can
demonstrate the properties of charged bodies and view electric field of a positive and
negatively charged body. Experiments related to charge can also be used in charging and
discharging the capacitor.
In similar manner, we can now develop other experiments that make use of charged
spheres. For example: calculate the dielectric constant, relative permittivity of a medium,
and more with the help of this kind of simulation.
Also, coulomb’s law already has many applications in practical life ranging from Xerox
machines to laser printers, to powder coating.

Conclusions
Hence, from this experiment, we can verify the Coulomb’s Law via Online simulation.
These kinds of simulations can be useful for demonstration of similar other experiments
that are not possible in ordinary lab conditions to get a general idea of how the
experiments are performed.
References

Simulation reference:
Coulomb’s Law—Electrostatics | Electric Force | Force Pairs—PhET Interactive
Simulations. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2022, from
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/coulombs-law

Ayam Publications, Principles of Physics, Grade 11

Byju’s, Electrostatics (Coulomb’s Law):
https://byjus.com/electrostatics/
https://byjus.com/coulombs-law/
Cathedral High School, “Coulomb’s Law PhET lab simulation
https://www.coursehero.com/file/62129079/
Halliday, David; Resnick, Robert; Walker, Jearl (2013). Fundamentals of Physics.
John Wiley & Sons. pp. 609, 611. 
Loeblein (24th April, 2020), “Coulomb Law Remote Lab”:
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/5507
University Physics Volume 2: 5.3 Coulomb’s Law:
https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/5-3-
coulombs-law