Electric Field Mapping

The purpose of this qualitative activity is to introduce the students to the concept of a field and to make the idea of the electric field more concrete by examining a number of examples. A number of rules about the electric field are verified. At the end of the activity, the student should be able to sketch the electric field around a simple charge distribution.

The idea of equipotential surfaces is also developed, but the lab is designed to be done before the concept of electric potential is introduced.

Grade Level: CollegeHigh School

Subject: Physics

Student Files

Electric Field Mapping 2.74 MB
Electric Field Mapping 991.29 KB
Electric Field Mapping with Patterns 1.17 MB
Electric Field Mapping 1.11 MB

Teacher Files

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Featured Equipment

550 Universal Physics System

Universal 550 Physics Experiment Bundle

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550 Universal Interface

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Field Mapper Kit

Field Mapper Kit

Allows students to map both the potentials and the electric fields around any two-dimensional charged conductors.

Support

Many lab activities can be conducted with our Wireless, PASPORT, or even ScienceWorkshop sensors and equipment. For assistance with substituting compatible instruments, contact PASCO Technical Support. We're here to help.

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