Electric Potential & Fields
Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH 44106-7079
Abstract:
In this experiment, we tested the principles of electric potential and fields.
The experiment consisted of three different configurations of electrodes, a dipole
system, a parallel plate system, and a parallel plate system with a cylinder. We found
that in all three setups that our voltage measurements were accurate for the
theoretical models. This was determined through our values for Χ2DOF, which was
29.5 for the dipoles, and 31.2 for the parallel plates. Our final charts of the electric
field and electric potential also support the models.
Introduction and Theory:
Throughout this experiment, there were several electrical concepts that
conjoined to explain the electric fields that were created. The first concept was
based on the electrostatic field. The electrostatic field is on a given charge of Q 1 due
F
⃗ Q1 Q 2
to a second charge Q2 is defined by: ⃗
E = =k . One issue with electric
Q Q 1r∗r
fields is that they are difficult to draw, since they are small directional vectors.
Scientists solved this issue by using electric field lines to represent the field. Another
issue is that electric fields are hard to measure. Since there is a relationship between
electric fields and electric potential, we can use measurements of the voltage to
b
calculate the electric field. Given that potential is calculated using: - ∫ ⃗E∗d ⃗l . This
a
This study source was downloaded by 100000899610689 from CourseHero.com on 09-25-2025 00:26:35 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/109796191/Lab-2-Reportdocx/
Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH 44106-7079
Abstract:
In this experiment, we tested the principles of electric potential and fields.
The experiment consisted of three different configurations of electrodes, a dipole
system, a parallel plate system, and a parallel plate system with a cylinder. We found
that in all three setups that our voltage measurements were accurate for the
theoretical models. This was determined through our values for Χ2DOF, which was
29.5 for the dipoles, and 31.2 for the parallel plates. Our final charts of the electric
field and electric potential also support the models.
Introduction and Theory:
Throughout this experiment, there were several electrical concepts that
conjoined to explain the electric fields that were created. The first concept was
based on the electrostatic field. The electrostatic field is on a given charge of Q 1 due
F
⃗ Q1 Q 2
to a second charge Q2 is defined by: ⃗
E = =k . One issue with electric
Q Q 1r∗r
fields is that they are difficult to draw, since they are small directional vectors.
Scientists solved this issue by using electric field lines to represent the field. Another
issue is that electric fields are hard to measure. Since there is a relationship between
electric fields and electric potential, we can use measurements of the voltage to
b
calculate the electric field. Given that potential is calculated using: - ∫ ⃗E∗d ⃗l . This
a
This study source was downloaded by 100000899610689 from CourseHero.com on 09-25-2025 00:26:35 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/109796191/Lab-2-Reportdocx/
