PHYSICS 72.1 2nd Sem. A.Y.

18-19

ELECTRIC FIELD &

EQUIPOTENTIAL LINES
Carbon, Marc David L. BS Architecture
Dimacali, Precious BS Industrial Engg.
Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Theory

3.0 Materials

4.0 Procedure

5.0 Results and Discussion

6.0 Conclusion and Recommendation

7.0 Sources

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1.0 Introduction
● Electric Charge – intrinsic property of an object

● Electric Field – intermediary between two interacting charges

Electric Field of a Point Charge

Positive charge Negative charge

Source: University Physics by Young & Freedman Source: University Physics by Young & Freedman 3
1.0 Introduction
● Potential energy function (U) per unit charge of charge B is defined as the electric potential.

The figures below illustrate the difference between electric field vectors and electric field lines. The tangent line at
any point is in the direction of the electric field vector at that point. We also see the equipotential lines, each of
which corresponding to an x potential value.

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Source: University Physics by Young & Freedman Vector Field
1.0 Introduction
Objectives
● In this experiment, the physical quantities related to attraction or repulsion of charge
were investigated.
● Relating the abstract concept of electric field and a measurable quantity, the potential
difference.

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2.0 Theory
The electric field E is defined as the force per unit charge.

The electric field is a vector and therefore has both magnitude and direction. The electric field vectors at
certain points are represented using arrows: the lengths indicate the corresponding magnitudes while
the arrows points in the direction of the field.

Source: University Physics by Young & Freedman Source: University Physics by Young & Freedman Source: University Physics by Young & Freedman
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2.0 Theory
Experimentally, what is being measured in this experiment is not the electric field but the electric potential
difference. The electric potential difference is equivalent to the work done by the electric field in moving a unit
charge from its location to infinity. Using the work-energy relation for conservative forces, the potential difference
ΔV = VAB for a finite displacement dℓ from point A to point B is

where WA->B is the work done on a positive test charge q0 as it moves from A to B. Since the electric force is
conservative, the work done, and hence the potential difference, is the same regardless of the path from A to B.
Furthermore, the electric potential is a scalar quantity since it does not have direction. Because of this, the
electric potential is not represented using arrows.

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2.0 Theory
To obtain information on the electric field from the electric potential, equipotential lines are used. These lines
connect points in space that have the same electric potential with respect to the same reference point. The
electric field will always be perpendicular to an equipotential line, and points towards decreasing potential.

If the potential difference between two points A and B is known, the electric field can be determined. Suppose
that the potential at point A is given by VA. A line is drawn from point A so that it is perpendicular to the
equipotential line corresponding to A. This line is extended to the equipotential line corresponding to B, and its
length Δℓ⊥ is measured. If the potential difference between the two equipotential lines is ΔV , then the field at A
can be estimated by:

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3.0 Materials

Rod and disc electrodes Electrolytic tank Power supply

Probe Voltmeter Water Rags

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4.0 Procedure Set-up
Voltmeter

Probe

Power Supply

Electrolytic tank

Disc electrode
Water
Rod electrode Source: Authors’ own 10
4.0 Procedure Tracing Equipotential Lines
The disc and rod electrode was positioned at (0,8)
1 2
and (0,-8) respectively inside the tank; with the rod
oriented parallel to the x-axis.
Source: Authors’ own
The disk and rod electrode was then connected to
the positive and negative terminal of the power
supply respectively. The probe was connected to
the positive terminal of the voltmeter; and the
negative terminal of the voltmeter was connected
to the negative terminal of the power supply.
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Source: Authors’ own
4.0 Procedure Tracing Equipotential Lines
Water was then poured onto the tank until the By touching the electrodes with the probe tip, the

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base has been completely covered. The power potential on the surface of each electrode was
supply and the voltmeter was then turned on. The measured and written down.
range in the voltmeter was adjusted so that the
reading will be in Volts (V) and will have only one
decimal place.

Source: Authors’ own

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Source: Authors’ own
4.0 Procedure Tracing Equipotential Lines
The potential at various points along the line x = -8 Table 1. Raw Data

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was then measured. The coordinates in which the V=1.0V V=2.0V V=3.0V
reading is equal to 1:0 V, 2:0 V, 3:0 V and so on were
x y x y x y
then recorded in Table 1. . The same procedure was
also done for x = 0; 2; 4; 6 and 8. 2 -8 -8 -12.5 0 -2.5

0 -9 0 -5.5 -2 -2.5

-2 -9 -1 -5.5 2 -2.5

1.5 -8.5 -2 -6.0 -4 -2.5

0.5 -8.5 -4 -7.0 4 -2.5

-6 -10 -6 -3.5

-8 -12 6 -2.5

2 -5.5 8 -3.5

Source: Authors’ own 13

4.0 Procedure Tracing Equipotential Lines
Table 1. Raw Data

V=4.0V V=5.0V V=6.0V V=7.0V V=7.4V

x y x y x y x y x y

0 0.5 0 3.0 0 5.0 -2 10.0 0 10.0

-2 0.5 -2 3.5 -2 6.0 -0.5 11.0 -0.75 9.75

-4 1.0 -4 4.5 -4 9.0 0.5 11.0 1 9.5

-6 1.0 -6 5.0 4 7.0 2 9.5 -0.75 6.0

2 0.5 2 3.5 -5 10.0 2.5 9.0 0.75 6.0

4 1.0 4 4.0 5 9.0 -1 10.0 1.5 6.25

6 1.0 6 4.5 -3 7.0 -1.5 9.5

-8 1.5 8 6.0 3 6.0 1.5 10.0

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4.0 Procedure Tracing Equipotential Lines
7.0 V
The points from Table 1 was then plotted in a

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6.0 V
grid. Smooth curves connecting coordinates
7.4 V
with the same voltage reading were plotted.
These smooth curves indicate the equipotential
5.0 V
lines. The signs of the electrode were then
determined.
4.0 V

3.0 V

2.0 V

1.0 V

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4.0 Procedure Tracing Equipotential Lines
A line perpendicular to the 3.0 V equipotential line was plotted in the parts that intersects with x = 0, 2, 4, and 6.
The length of each segment indicates the length of that particular point of intersection. The estimated magnitude
of the electric field was then obtained and recorded in Table 2.

Table 2. Electric Field Vectors

x Δℓ⊥ (cm) ΔV (V) | E | (V/cm)

0 3 1 0.33

2 3 1 0.33

4 3.5 1 0.29

6 3.5 1 0.29

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5.0 Results and Discussion
LEGEND
1.0 V
The equipotential lines in the disc-
rod configuration were then graphed 2.0 V
in a grid. The corresponding values of
3.0 V
each equipotential lines are as
shown. Arrow lines indicate the 4.0 V
electric field vectors at the points
where the 3.0 V equipotential line 5.0 V
intersect with the lines x=0,2,4 and 6.
6.0 V

The sign of the disk electrode is 7.0 V

indicated as positive whereas the
sign of the rod electrode is indicated 7.4 V
as negative.
Electric Field
Lines

Electric Field
Vectors 17
5.0 Results and Discussion
LEGEND
The electric field lines are
perpendicular to the equipotential 1.0 V
lines and are pointing towards the
rod electrode which is the negative 2.0 V

side of the system. The vectors differ

3.0 V
in length (which represents the
magnitude of the electric field) as 4.0 V
given by the formula:
5.0 V

6.0 V

The percent error for the electric field 7.0 V

is ~4% which is an acceptable value
and that means that the data 7.4 V

obtained follows the theory of the

Electric Field
electric field. Lines

Electric Field
Vectors 18
6.0 Conclusion & Recommendation
Conclusion Recommendation
● Equipotential lines can be visualized by ● Since the experiment involves water, the
tracing lines that are caused by charge rod and disc electrode will surely move
distribution. and so it is recommended that an
● The magnitude of the electric field vector electrolytic tank with a fixed rod and disc
can be represented by the length of an electrode be made especially for this
arrow in which the direction of the arrow experiment. In doing this, the chance of
signifies the direction of the electric field. having a large error will lessen and the
In this experiment, the direction is results would be more precise and
towards the rod electrode which is the accurate.
negatively-charged electrode.

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7.0 Sources
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/imgele/equiv5.png

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8BWpW4Ck9sKRLBj1iVOvpRVtBq1sJjsgBNPcSn6HP8FX86wI_

https://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server800/64f33/products/155/images/11733/tung38_1__48115.1433531013.1280.1280.jpg?c=2

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0250/0623/products/PH0676A_ae42af1b-b2da-4986-b914-6b2b4ee714a4_x700.jpg?v=1535373297

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1aOkJQVXXXXceaXXXq6xXFXXXZ/Digital-Multimeter-A830L-AC-DC-Ammeter-Voltmeter-Meter-Diagnostic-
tool-Tester-Electronic-Measurement-Electric-Instrument-China.jpg_640x640.jpg

University Physics by Young and Freedman

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