Lab 2 – Mapping E field Lines

Lab 2 (Chapter 18, Lesson 3) involves mapping of E lines for a certain unknown charge distribution. You will be mapping electrostatic (Coulomb) force lines since the electric field E is proportional to the Coulomb force by the equation (Equation 18.2) but these are equivalent to the E lines with equivalent directions and proportional magnitudes. This simulation file name is “EXP #3 E FIELD #3”

The direction of the electric field (or Coulomb force – Total Force in this experiment) is determined by placing a small + test charge, green in color throughout these simulations, near a charged configuration and noting the direction that the test charged is accelerated. You are free to move the small green test charge around to various locations, while noting (1) the exact location and (2) the direction of the force on that charge caused by all other charges.

On graph paper (on your answer sheet), record the E field direction at the appropriate locations for the green test charge. Try to connect the arrows in a line to form the electric field lines. These lines may not cross each other. For test charge locations, choose the corners of the squares all around the charged object(s).