PHYS 2212L LAB 2

The Coulomb Force

Purpose
In this experiment we will measure the electric force between two charged metal plates.
In so doing, we will verify Coulombs Law for the force between charged particles. The
experiment will enable us to measure the value of 0, the permittivity of free space.

Principles
A fundamental experimental result in the study of electrostatics is Coulombs Law,
which gives the strength of the electric force between two charged particles:

1 q1 q 2
FE
(1) 4 0 r 2

with 0 = 8.85 x 10-12 F/m.

q1 and q2 are the charges on the particles and r is the distance between them. The
permittivity of free space, 0, sets the scale of the force. Its inverse, 1/0, is equal to 1.13
x 1011, making the electric force very large compared to the gravitational force for
appreciable values of the charges.

The Coulomb Balance

However, measuring the electric force between small, spherical charged objects, as the
experiment was originally performed by Charles Coulomb in the 18th century, is
problematic owing to the difficulty in determining the amount of charge involved.
Instead of small spheres, we will use charged metal plates connected across a high
potential. With care, we can arrive at a good approximation to the value of the electric
force and 0.

The Coulomb Balance setup is illustrated schematically in Diagram 1. We will apply a

potential difference across two large square metal plates. The power source will pump
an amount of positive charge q from the plate at low potential onto the plate at high
potential, so that the two plates will have equal and opposite charges.

Jun 05 29
PHYS 2212L LAB 2

The Coulomb Force

Knife-
Charged
Counter edge
plates
weights balance
+
Power
Supply
_

Diagram 1: The Coulomb Balance

When the separation distance d between the two plates is small, the electric field between
them will be approximately constant in magnitude and direction. (We assume the bulging
of the fields at the edges of the plates is negligible. The field here is similar to that
between the rectangular electrodes in the field mapping experiment see Diagram 2.).
Thus, we can easily apply Gausss Law to determine the field between the plates. The
result is:

q
(2) E
0 A

where A is the area of either plate. We also know, since the field is uniform, that

V
E
d

where d is the separation distance and V the potential difference. Putting these two
expressions together leads to

0 AV
(3) q
d

for the charge q on either plate.

Jun 05 30
PHYS 2212L LAB 2

The Coulomb Force

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Diagram 2: Field between charged plates

The Force Between the Plates

The force that one plate exerts on the other can be expressed in terms of the electric field
set up by the first plate:

(4) F2 q 2 E1

where F2 is the force on the second plate, q2 is its charge, and E1 is the field set up by the
first plate alone. Gausss Law shows that E1 has half the value of E, the field from both
plates:

q
(5) E1
2 0 A

(In the absence of plate 2, the field from plate 1 points in both directions from the plate;
thus the electric flux is spread over twice the area, decreasing the value of the field.
When both plates are present, their fields cancel in the region outside the plates, since
their charges are opposite, and superimpose in the region between the plates.)

Putting expressions (4) and (5) together and using expression (3) for the charge on either
plate, the force on either plate can be expressed as:

q2 A
(6) FE 0 2V2
2 0 A 2d

Since the charges are opposite, this force is attractive.

Measuring the Force

The electric force between the plates, FE, can be determined by balancing its downward,
attractive force on the top (movable) plate with the upward force of the counterweights
on the balance. The force of the counterweights can be set by the use of small masses, as

Jun 05 31
PHYS 2212L LAB 2

The Coulomb Force

detailed below. At equilibrium, FE will have the same magnitude as the weight of a
known mass and equation (6) can be applied.

Taking voltage measurements for several values of the counterweighting will enable us to
plot FE as a function of V2. Since A, d and 0 are all constants, the plot of FE versus V2
should be linear. 0 can be calculated from the slope of the graph.

The Optical Lever

We will use a setup called an optical lever to accurately determine the distance d between
the plates at equilibrium. We will bounce a laser beam off of a mirror on the apparatus
and allow the reflection to hit a wall at least 3 meters away. The laser spot on the wall
will be very sensitive to the motion of the top plate. Thus we can determine the correct
spacing between the plates by marking where the spot hits the wall at equilibrium. Each
time we change the counterweight on the top plate, we adjust the voltage until the spot
returns to the equilibrium mark.

spot mirror

Laser

Coulomb balance

Diagram 3: Optical Lever

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The Coulomb Force LAB 2

Procedures

The experimental procedure can be outlined as follows:

Set up the Coulomb Balance with an equilibrium separation distance d. The top
plate will be balanced on a knife-edge support so that it is very sensitive to forces
exerted on it. The bottom plate is fixed in space.
Place a small mass on the top plate and adjust the counterbalances on the
apparatus so that the two plates are at their equilibrium separation.
Take the mass off the top plate. Because of the counterweight adjustment
(equivalent to the weight of the mass), the top plate will tilt up.
Apply voltage to the plates and adjust until FE pulls the top plate back to the
equilibrium position.

We will repeat the above for a range of values and graph the results.

Equipment

Current Balance with 20-gram masses (spacers ~

Coulomb plate attachments 3.5 mm thick)
High Voltage Power Supply Spirit level
Voltmeter or DMM Mega-ohm resistor
Milligram mass set Banana wires
Laser Alligator clips
Micrometer
Ruler

Coulomb
HVPS
V Plates

Diagram 4: Coulomb Balance Circuit Diagram

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The Coulomb Force LAB 2

Procedures

1. Parameter Measurements

Note: These measurements are needed for your calculations, but they can be done
at any time.

Measure the lengths and widths of both plates, to the nearest tenth of a
millimeter. Take 3 independent measurements of the length and width for
each plate and use the average values to calculate the area of each plate. Then
average these values to find A, the area for equation (6).
Measure the thickness of the mass spacer with a micrometer. Determine to the
nearest one thousandth of a millimeter. This will be the equilibrium spacing
between the plates, d. Take the measurement three times and take an average.
In order to determine the range of error in our results, measure the mirror to
wall distance to the nearest centimeter (call this L). Also measure the distance
from the knife-edges on the upper balance arm to the center of the Coulomb
plates (call this ).

2. Adjust the Balance

Place the Coulomb Balance on a table with the mirror facing a wall about 2
meters away.
Level the base by adjusting the screws at the front of the apparatus.
Carefully set the balance arm, to which the top Coulomb plate is attached, on the
support posts. The knife-edges rest on the flat tops of the support posts.

Note: Always set the knife-edges in place gently. Do not scrape or dent the knife edges. Do not
leave the balance arm resting on the knife edges when the balance is not in use. When finished
with the experiment, nestle the balance arm in front of the support posts, with the knife-edges free.

Set the counterbalance so that the top plate tilts forward and rests on the bottom
plate.
Adjust the plates so that they are parallel with each other and with the ground:
The top plate can be adjusted forward or back by loosening the screws on the
balance arm and sliding the mounting rods in or out.
The bottom plate can be adjusted up or down on either end; or left to right by
sliding the mounting rods through mounting posts. It can also be swiveled to
align it with the top plate.
Make sure the damping keel rides free and does not rub against the base.

3. Connect the plates to the power supply.

Do not turn on the power supply yet.

Wire the apparatus as indicated in Diagram 4.

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The Coulomb Force LAB 2

Procedures

Make sure the mega-ohm resistor is connected between the high potential socket
of the power supply and the current balance. This is to protect the power supply
(and you!) from current surges.

Note: Normally, there will be no current in the apparatus during the experiment. However, in
the process of determining the balancing voltage, the plates may come together, completing a
circuit and causing current to flow. The current should be small if the resistor is in place.
However, whenever the plates touch each other, reduce the voltage to zero immediately.

Connect the DMM as voltmeter across the power supplys output. This will
be the same as the voltage between the plates.

4. Set up the optical lever and equilibrium spacing.

Place the spacer in the center of the bottom plate. Place another mass on top of
the top plate to keep it firmly in place.
Plug in and turn on the laser.

Note: The laser can damage your eyes. Do not look into the laser or into its
reflection. Keep it pointed away from anyones face.

Place the laser in front of the apparatus and point it at the mirror. Find the spot
from the beam on the wall. Put a piece of masking tape on the wall at the laser
spot. Draw a horizontal line on the masking tape through the laser spot. This will
mark the equilibrium position.
Once you have marked the equilibrium position, you must avoid bumping the
apparatus; else you will have to reset the balance and start the experiment over.
Take both masses off the plates. Adjust the counterweights so that the laser spot
is at the equilibrium mark.

4. Take Voltage Measurements

Use the following procedure to determine the voltage necessary to balance an

opposing weight placed on the top plate. Take 10 measurements for masses
ranging from 10 mg to 100 mg in 10 mg increments:

Turn on the power supply, but leave the voltage setting at zero.
Place a milligram mass on the top plate. Take care with the milligram masses
since they are very easily lost. Use the tweezers to handle them, not your
hands, and keep the plastic cover in place over the mass set.
Adjust the counterbalance so that the plate returns to the equilibrium position.

Jun 05 35
The Coulomb Force LAB 2

Procedures

Take the mass off the plate. Return it to the mass set container. The top plate
should tilt up slightly, because the counterweight is exerting a force on it equal
to the weight of the mass.
Carefully increase the voltage output of the power supply until the laser spot
returns to the equilibrium mark.

This will involve some very sensitive adjustments and will take some practice. Beware
that with the heavier masses (>50 mg) a voltage setting that is just slightly too large will
cause the plates to slam together (The electric force becomes very large when the charge
on the plates is large and the spacing is small so the plate accelerates rapidly.) Adjust
the voltage in smaller and smaller increments as the spot nears equilibrium often the
barest nudge on the knob will do the trick.

Record the mass and voltage values obtained.

Turn down the voltage after each trial.

Analysis.

1. Determine 0 from the data:

a. Calculate the area of both plates and take the average. Use this average as
A.
b. Take the average of the spacer thickness measurements. Use this as d.
c. Calculate the weight of each mass set on the top plate. These weights are
equivalent to FE for the corresponding voltage. Consider the mass values
valid to 3 significant figures, so that the calculated weights have 3
significant figures.
d. Calculate V2 for each voltage setting.
e. Graph FE versus V2. You may use graph paper or you may use the
Coulomb.ds file with the DataStudio program on the lab computers.
f. Find the slope of the graph and write down the equation of the graph.
g. Calculate 0 from the slope, using equation (6).
h. Take the percent error of your value from the accepted value.

2. Estimate the range of error in your value.

a. Solve equation (6) for 0 . The ratio FE/V2 is just the slope of your graph,
so write this ratio as m. Show that the relative error in your value of 0
can be estimated by

Jun 05 36
The Coulomb Force LAB 2

Procedures

0 d m
2
0 d m

(ignoring any uncertainty in the area of the plates. Refer to Range of Error
Calculations in the appendix if necessary.)

b. Use the standard deviation in the slope as m. This is calculated from the
square of the differences between the best fit values for FE and the actual
values. Use the curve fitting option on DataStudio, or any curve fitting
program.

For your reference, the standard deviation in the slope, sm is given by

s
2 n y i2
n 2 n xi2 ( xi ) 2
m

where the xi are the abscissas (V2 in our case), yi are the ordinates (FE) in
our case and yi are the differences between the fitted values for the
ordinates and the measured values: yi = yi Yi.

c. To get d, examine the diagram below, which illustrates the effect of small
variations in the position of the balance arm. If the balance arm and
mirror rotate through a small angle, the equilibrium position will change
by an amount d. The position of the laser spot on the wall will change
by an amount Y. However, the laser beam will rotate through twice the
angle of the balance arm. So:

d Y

2L

Estimate Y, your uncertainty in the equilibrium position of the laser spot.

d. Putting together the above calculations, find 0 , the range of error in

your determination of the permittivity of free space.

Jun 05 37
The Coulomb Force LAB 2

Procedures

Mirror

Laser
d

Balance l
(side view)

Optical Lever Geometry

Jun 05 38
The Coulomb Force LAB 2

Data

Area & Equilibrium Spacing

Top Plate Bottom Plate

Length Width Length Width

Measurement

Average

Area:

Average Area: __________

Spacer
Measurement Thickness
1

Average:

Other Measurements

Mirror to Wall Distance, L: Balance arm length, :

The Coulomb Force LAB 2

Data

Coulomb Balance Data

Mass Weight Voltage V2

Measurement (=FE)

10

Permittivity of free space, 0

Calculated value:_____________ Range of Errior:_____________

Accepted: value ______________ % error: ______________