PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields – Potential, Study notes of Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Fields Theory

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PhET Simulation: Charges and Fields – Potential

Dhiraj Maheswari

Laboratory 3

Purpose : The purpose of this laboratory is to learn the concepts related to the electric potential

and its relationship between distance and magnitude of charge. Using the PHET simulator, this

experiment allows us to measure the electric potential and learning equipotential lines. This

allows the determination of the electric potential when multiple charges are invited.

Introduction : Electric potential is the potential energy per unit charge. It can be mapped using

equipotential lines and calculated by multiplying Coulomb’s constant 9 × 109 with the end result

of dividing the charge by the distance. Electric potential decreases with distance. While the

magnitude of the electric potential will become greater when the electric potential electron volts

are increased but in the negative direction. This increases the force.

An electric dipole moment occurs between a pair of separated opposite charges. It

measures its overall polarity and the separation between these opposite charges within the

system.

Procedure : The experiment was completed through the PHET simulator for electric field lines.

Data and Data Evaluation : Include the entire lab activity packet and any tables or graphs

created during the experiment. Data should consist of as many trials as indicated in the

instructions. The units for physical measurements (kg, m, s, etc.) in a data table should be

specified in column heading only.

PART 1: Electric potential and Equipotential lines

1. Refresh simulation. Select +1nC charge. De-select Electric field. Click on Voltage, Values and Grid. Select Voltmeter.
2. Keep voltmeter at a distance of 2 meter away from charge. a. What is the value of potential at this point? 4.4 V i. b. Calculate potential using formula of electric potential. Do both values match?

7. Move the Voltmeter further (or closer) and click again on the pencil symbol. What did you notice? The volts increase when you move closer but the equipotential circle is smaller. PART 2: Electric potential versus distance

1. Make a +3 nC charge and place it so that it is at the intersection of two of the heavier gridlines. This way, you can place sensors at fairly specific distances away from the charge.
2. Use the Voltmeter and the pencil symbol to measure and record in Table 1 the potential at the distances specified. r (m) E (V/m) 1 27. 2 13. 3 9. 4 6. 5 5. 6 4. 7 3. 8 3.

3. Plot a graph Electric potential versus the distance using Vernier Graphical Analysis and insert it in your completed laboratory report. a.
4. How the potential depends on the distance? Include your findings and conclusion in the completed lab report. a. As the distance is increased from the charge, the potential becomes less positive, (decreases) and it gets closer and closer to zero. However, it will never actually reach zero. It goes onto infinity.

i. b. And at several point on the vertical line bisecting the line segment connecting the charges. i. ii. Results : The figures and images reflect what is expected of the relationship between electric potential, distance and magnitude.

Conclusion : This experiment exhibits how electric field line drawings are used to displace field strength and length between charges.