E305: ELECTRIC FIELDS AND EQUIPOTENTIAL LINES

Altecin, Aileen R.1,

School of Civil, Environmetal and Geological Engineering, Mapa Institute of Technology
658 Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila City, Philippines
aaltecin@yahoo.com

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

Table 1. Dipoles of Unlike Charges
Multimeter
Reading
1.5
2.0
2.5

Coordinates (x , y)
A = (0.01,8.35)

C = (0.97, 8.81)

E = (1.67,9.65)

G = (2.02,10.66)

B = (0.5, 8.53)

D = (1.36,9.16)

F = (1.95,10.18)

V = (2.04,11)

J = (0,7)

L = (1.02,7.25)

N = (2.19,7.83)

P = (3.39,8.94)

K = (0.45,7.07)

M = (1.57,7.51)

O = (2.9,8.47)

G = (3.76,9.32)

R = (0,4.91)

T = (1.78,5.17)

W = (4.25,5.92)

1 = (6.15,6.84)

S = (0.78,4.99)

U = (3.01,5.56)

Z = (5.14,6.31)

1 = (7.22,7.36)

The voltage of battery that was given to our group was 6.49 Volts. We know that it will be easier
if we will assign 3 voltages which are smaller than 6.49 Volts, so we have chosen 1.5 Volts, 2.0
Volts, and 2.5 Volts as our multimeter readings. We located 8 points in one quadrant with identical
voltages. After locating the eight points, we mirrored to the image formed to the other quadrants.
Based from the table, when the point is farther from the electrode or the push pin, the voltage
reading is higher. The voltage is dependent on the distance between the electrode and the point.
Table 2. Point Source and Guard Ring
Multimeter
Reading
3.5
4.5
5.5

Coordinates (x , y)
F = (0,1.3)

I = (-0.63,1.14)

K = (-1.03,0.79)

M = (-1.26,0.32)

H = (-0.3,1.26)

J = (-0.84,6.99)

L = (-1.14,0.62)

G = (-1.3,0)

O = (0,2.1)

S = (-0.93,1.88)

U = (-1.81,1.06)

W = (-2.05,0.48)

R = (-0.42,2.06)

T = (-1.52,1.45)

V = (-1.95,0.78)

Z = (2.1,0)

1 = (0,3.9)

1 = (-2.16,3.25)

1 = (-3.53,1.65)

1 = (-3.88,0.38)

1 = (-1.26,3.69)

1 = (-2.99,2.5)

1 = (-3.77,1.02)

1 = (3.9,0)

For the second part of the experiment, we marked the center of the conductive paper. We also
made a circle with radius 7 cm and we marked it using the silver ink. We selected 3.5 volts, 4.5
volts and 5.5 volts as our multimeter reading. The second part of the experiment was easier
compared to the first part because we already know that the eight points that we have to locate in
one quadrant forms a quarter circle. We already have a guide while we are trying to pinpoint the

eight points. After finding the eight points, we reflected the image formed in the three other
quadrants. The figure that was formed was a circle. Based from the table, I have observed the
larger circle that was formed has larger voltage.
GRAPHS
Figure 1. Electric Field Lines and Equipotential Lines of Two Unlike Charges

The graph of the equipotential lines is analogous to the graph of the parabola. As the opening of
the figure formed increases, the voltage also increases. As the distance between the charge and the
point increases, the voltage also increases. The equipotential lines is orthogonal to the electric field
lines. The electric field is from the positive charge towards the negative charge.
Figure 2. Electric Field Lines and Equipotential Lines of a Point Source with a Guard Ring

The graphs of the equipotential lines of a point source with a guard ring, is a circle. Since we used
3 voltages, we formed concentric circles. As the distance between the center of the circle and the
point increases, the voltage also increases. The electric field lines is orthogonal to the equipotential
lines.
CONCLUSIONS
In experiment 305, we have not faced any problem regarding the procedures of the experiment.
We have spent a lot of time in trying to detect different points with equal voltages. We also had a
hard time in graphing the outcomes of the experiment in geogebra.
The purpose of the experiment is to map the equipotential lines and the electric field lines of force.
The equipotential line is formed by different set of points with equal voltages. It also means that
all points in the equipotential lines have equivalent voltages. The voltage is dependent on the radius
or the distance between the electrode and the point. Based from the formula of the electric
potential, the voltage is inversely proportional to the radius. It means that as the distance between
the electrode and the point increases, the voltage decreases consequently. As the distance between
the electrode and the point decreases, the voltage increases consequently.
REFERENCES
Walker , J., Halliday, D., and Resnick R. (2014) Principles of Physics, 10th Edition., John Wiley
& Sons Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Young, H., Roger, F. (2012). University Physics with Modern Physics (13th ed.)
(n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_field
(n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equipotential
Equipotential
lines.
(n.d.).
Retrieved
March
06,
2016,
from
https://www.pa.msu.edu/courses/1997spring/PHY232/lectures/efields/equipotentials.html

PHOTOS

Figure 3. The materials used in E305.

Figure 4. Attaching the digital multimeter to the battery.

Figure 5. Marking the conductive paper with silver conductive ink.

Figure 6. Fastening the conductive paper to the corkboard by means of push pins.

Figure 7. Recognizing the points with equal voltage.

Figure 8. Pinpointing the coordinates of the points with equivalent voltage and graphing it in
geogebra.

Figure 9. Writing the outcomes of the experiment in the laboratory notebook.

Figure 10. Organizing the materials used in E305.

Figure 11. The electric field lines and equipotential lines of two unlike charges in the conductive
paper.

Figure 12. The electric field lines and the equipotential lines of a point source and a guard ring
in conductive paper.

Figure 13. Group picture of Group 4.