Physics 102.

1 Experiment 1
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st

Semester, AY 2013-2014

Electric Potential and Electric Field

1. Objectives
1.1.
Plot a series of lines of equal potential for several two-dimensional
charge distributions.
1.2.
Construct the corresponding electric field lines, giving an informative visual
display of the field.
2. Overview
The conductors (disks, cylinders) are connected to the terminals of a battery which supplies
charge to the conductors, one conductor getting a positive charge and the other a negative
charge. A current flows through the electrolyte from the positive conductor to the negative
conductor. Any two points between which the current is zero will be at the same electrical
potential and will therefore lie on an equipotential line. The tank has a grid of reference marks to
make it easy to identify and to sketch these points between the conductors.
3. Procedure
3.1.
Part 1: Two circular electrodes (circular charge distributions)
3.1.1. Connect the terminals of the battery to
each metal disk (refer to schematic
diagram). Make a full scale precise copy
of the electrolytic tank and electrodes in
your notebook, record the identifying
numbers of the grid and draw the
Electrodes
conducting plates in their proper
locations. Attach the probe to the
Electrolytic tank
positive terminal of the voltmeter, and
connect the negative terminal of the
voltmeter to the negative terminal of the
power supply.
V
Probe
Schematic diagram of experimental setup

3.1.2. Using the probe tip, measure the potential of one specific point between the
conductors. Move the probe until another point at the same potential is
found. In this way locate enough points to allow you to draw the
equipotential line connecting these points. Record the potential of the line
relative to the negative terminal of the battery.
3.1.3. Repeat the above procedure with the probe located at other points with a
different potential and thus sketch a family of equipotential lines for the
entire region between the conductors. In each case, record the potential of
the line relative to the negative terminal of the battery. When the
equipotential lines have been drawn, sketch the family of lines that are
perpendicular to the equipotential lines. These lines are the electric field
lines for the charge distribution. They begin on positive charges and end on
negative charges.
3.2.

Part 2: Two cylindrical electrodes (line charge distributions)

3.2.1. Repeat Part 1 for the two cylindrical electrodes.

3.3.

Part 3: Circular and cylindrical electrodes ( line and circular charge distributions)
3.3.1. Repeat Part 1 for cylindrical and circular electrodes.

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Physics 102.1 Experiment 1

1

st

Semester, AY 2013-2014

4. Guide Questions
4.1.
4.2.
4.3.
4.4.
4.5.
4.6.

(See Procedure 3.1.2) How will you decide when you have
taken "enough" points?
(See Procedure 3.1.3) Why are electric field lines perpendicular to the equipotential
lines? (HINT: Think of a paradox that would occur if they were not perpendicular to
the equipotentials.)
(See Procedure 3.1.3) Why should the electric field lines also be perpendicular to the
edges of the conductors?
(See Procedure 3.1.3) How would you find the magnitude of the electric field in
a given region of your diagram? Do an example.
(See Procedure 3.2 and 3.3) What qualitative effects do the shapes of the
conductor have on the field distribution?
(See Procedure 3.2 and 3.3) What will be the effect of accumulation of charges
on certain regions of the tank?

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