Electric Fields Physics 132 Thursdays 9:00 AM ILC S110 Abstract In this experiment we explored the properties of electric fields. Using a pair of field probes and voltmeter we measured the direction and strength of the electric field on the surface of the paper. The red probe corresponding to a positive charge and a black resorting to a negative charge, we were able to see how the direction changed based on location in relation to these two probes. Questions & Answers 1. What do the electric field lines represent? (2 points) They represent the magnitude and direction of the electric field. electric. They represent what the field looks like geometrically. They can be represented in a line straight or curved along which a unit positive charge moves if it placed in the presence of a source charge. 2. What are the primary similarities and differences between the electric fields surrounding each electric contacts on the field board; i.e., the positive and negative contacts? (2 points) Electric field lines due to both positive and negative charges represent electric field. However they differ in electric field lines due to a positive charge move outwards away from the charge while as the lines of force due to negative charge charge move inwards(towards the negative charge.) 3. Where was the electric field strongest for each electric contact? Explain your answer. (2 points) Electric field is strongest where the electric field lines are closer. for both charges, the electric field is stronger near the charge because it has the most contact with the charge and the lines around it. 4. Would the shape of the electric field lines for the two electric contacts change if you increased the voltage across the electric contacts on the field board? Explain your answer. (2 points) If we increase the voltage ,the electric field intensity will increase .That means the electric field lines will come closer to each other but the shape of lines will remain same, you will see more lines closer together on the image. 5. For the electric dipole configuration, where is the electric field strength the greatest (2points)The electric field strength is the greatest in the region closest to the charges, because that is where the equipotential lines are closest together. 6. If both contacts were connected to the positive +5V output of the power supply, what would the electric field be between the contacts on the field mapping board? Explain your answer. (2 points) They’d be repelling each other because they would both be positive. 7. What can be said about the voltage at each point of a line of equipotential? (2 points) Voltage at each point of the equipotential line is same, that being each line has equal value. 8. If you positioned the two probes along an equipotential line; i.e., parallel to the equipotential line, what value of electric field would you measure? Explain your answer (2 points) At both the points we get equal magnitude of electric field since, for all the equipotential surface all points contain equal voltage Conclusion After this experiment, we have better understand of the patterns of an electric field and how the relation of positive and negative charges effects have on each other and themselves. We were able to see the properties of equipotential lines and see how the distance between them is equal but also proportional to the strength of the field itself. We now have good idea about the basics of the electric field and
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