Physics 40C Laboratory

Lab 2: Equipotential Mapping (Includes Prelab Assignment)

Before the advent of modern computing, many interesting electrostatics problems could not be solved directly. Practical design of capacitors, transmission lines, and other electrical devices required knowledge of the non-ideal aspects of the electric fields, for example, the fringe field of a capacitor. The method of equipotential mapping allows us to analyze geometries that do not have simple symmetries. Equipotential mapping replaces the electric potential in free space by the potential in a uniform conducting medium. This substitution is justified because the underlying equations for the potential have the same mathematical form in free space and in an isotropic conductor.

Apparatus
For this experiment you will use an electrostatic plotting system consisting of Regulated DC voltage supply (0-30 VDC) Electrometer voltmeter with high input impedance Conductive paper, corkboard, metal push pins Conductive ink in dispenser Connecting wires and probes Chalk for marking equipotentials

A Computer with Data Studio software will be used to display electrometer voltages.

The Physics
There is a remarkable coincidence in physics that keeps coming up in different places. The equations for many different physical situations have exactly the same appearance. We encountered the simple harmonic oscillator in different mechanics problems but it reappears in several electricity and magnetism problems. The mathematical symbols may be different such as z being replaced by E, but the mathematics of the equation is the same. This is a very useful property of physical systems. Once we have studied one subject thoroughly, we can apply many of those properties to entirely new problems. For example, the conservation of mass principle that proved so useful in fluid mechanics reappears as the conservation of charge in circuits.

A useful similar system

A useful analog of electrostatics is the potentials associated with current flow in a uniform resistive medium. In the uniform medium we use contacts or conductors with external connections as sources of current. These contacts form equipotential surfaces just as charged conductors are equipotential surfaces in free space. The field variable is the electrostatic potential, just as in the case of isolated charges in free space. The conducting medium is usually given a very high resistance so that little current flows, and the sources can be taken as ideal equipotential surfaces. To probe the potentials we need a voltmeter that will not perturb the current flow in the resistive medium. The electrometer used in this lab has an input impedance of about 1014, large enough that we can neglect the current that it draws. Three-dimensional problems can be analyzed using a tank of oil with additives to assure uniform resistance. This somewhat messy approach was the solution of last resort before computers allowed direct numerical solution of these problems. A two-dimensional system can be studied using resistive paper, as we will see in the lab.

Electrostatics in two dimensions

Any introduction to electrostatics relies heavily on symmetry to solve problems. Using electrostatic mapping with resistive paper we can consider problems where the third dimension (depth) has no structure. This is the case for infinite lines of charge, concentric conductors (Figure A below), and parallel plate capacitors with infinite extent in one direction (Figure B below).

We can use potential mapping to determine the relative strength and direction of the electric field in an electrode geometry. By definition, we know that the average electric field, Eav, is given by
Eav = V x

where V is voltage and x is distance. We can determine the relative strength of the electric field in a given region between the electrodes by examining the spacing of equipotential lines. The electric field is strongest where the

spacing is smallest. Furthermore, the direction of the electric field at a given point is perpendicular to the equipotential line at that point.

Procedure
We will first discuss how a measurement is made. We will then offer suggestions of electrode configurations to try. 1. Steps in preparing and making an equipotential map. Place the conductive paper, printed side up, on a smooth surface. Sketch on the paper with a pencil the two conductors to which connections will be made. Shake the conductive ink dispenser until you hear the steel agitator ball rattling around inside the can. Continue to shake for 30 seconds more. Hold the dispenser at a slight angle while moving the tip across the paper. The line should be continuous - see figure (a) below. Allow the pattern to dry thoroughly (5-10 minutes). Mount the conductive paper on the corkboard with four metal push pins to hold down the corners. As shown in figure (b) below, connect the terminal wires to the electrode lines by pressing the push pin down until the wire terminal is held against the electrode line. Connect the electrode wires to the ground and voltage terminals of the DC voltage source. Connect the ground of the voltage source to the electrometer. Turn the voltage source on and set it to 30 volts.

Make sure the electrometer and power supply ground, and grounded electrode are all connected together. Then turn-on the electrometer; the green LED should illuminate. Move the function switch to the 30 volt position. Then perform the following steps: (i) On your desk top, click the Data Studio icon. (ii) Click Create Experiment. (iii) When the Experiment Setup window appears, click Add Sensor or Instrument. (iv) Scroll down the list of sensors and select Electrometer (Basic). Click OK and you should see the Electrometer (Basic) icon in the Experiment Setup window. (v) From the list of Displays on the lower left side of your screen, select Digits and Meter. This will provide both an analog and digital display of voltages. Note: Do not measure voltages using the analog display on the electrometer itself. (vi) To commence measurements, click the Start button. Voltages will be displayed on the screen in digital and analog format.

Touch the electrometer probe to a point on the paper to measure the voltage. Verify that your two electrodes on the paper are at 0 and 30 volts. Map out equipotentials by marking on the paper with chalk at points that are at a common potential value. Start by taking points at 5 volts, then points at 10 volts, and so on. (Now you know why you did all those connect-a-dots as a child.)

2.

Some ideas for equipotential maps are shown below. Choose 4 different ones including part b on concentric circles. Record your data into your notebook, and answer all questions that accompany your choice. [2.0 points each]

(a) Parallel plate capacitor What is the electric field outside of the plates, i.e., is it weaker or stronger than inside? Is the charge per unit area lower or higher at the plate edge? Why? If the length of the plates increases, does the magnitude of the electric field behind the plates increase or decrease?

(b) Concentric circles (Make the inner circle small.) Use Data Studio to plot V versus r. Remember this is a two dimensional situation. Does your data show that V is proportional to ln(r)?

(c) Two points of opposite charge (Look at the next idea too!) Plot the equipotentials. What do you expect the shape of the 15 V equipotential to be (assume infinite paper size)? What is the effect of the finite size of the paper?

(d) Point charge and plane (Best done after the last idea.) Using the conductive ink pen, trace over the 15 volt equipotential line from part (c), making it an electrode. Although the diagram to the right shows this electrode as a straight line, the real electrode may not be straight. After the ink dries, set the left point at ground, and the new electrode at 15 volts (half of what you used for the two points). How do expect the equipotentials to compare with what you got for two points? How do they actually compare?

(e) A corner (The electrodes should be separate at the corner.) What are the shapes of the equipotentials?

(f) A floating electrode Draw the two straight electrodes first and make an equipotential map. Then add the circular electrode, and re-map the field. How does the floating electrode distort the field? (You may wish to consider having the circular electrode closer to one end.)

(g) Line and circular source Draw the straight electrode and circle (a) first and make an equipotential map. Then add the circular electrode (b), and re-map the field. Then add the circular electrode (c), and re-map the field. How is the equipotential spacing changed by the increasing diameter of the circle?

(h) Two points of like charge (Compare to two points of opposite charge!) Plot the equipotentials. What is the effect of the finite size of the paper and the electrode around the edge?

Additional points will be awarded for your statement of Purpose [0.5], your written Conclusions [0.5], and for the Quiz and/or Overall neatness and organization of your report [0.5].

PRE LAB ASSIGNMENT (0.5 points)

1. Consider two regions of space containing a static electric field, region A and region B. In region A the equipotential lines are more closely spaced than those in region B. What can be said about the relative strength of the electric field in the two regions? A) The electric field in region A is stronger than in region B. B) The electric field in region A is weaker than in region B. C) The electric field strength is unrelated to the spacing of the equipotential lines D) The electric field is directly proportional to the value of the potential in a given region of space. Therefore, more information is required to answer the above question. E) Both C and D 2) Equipotential lines are always ____________ to electric field lines. A) parallel B) perpendicular C) at a 45 degree angle D) None of the above. 3) In the presence of a static electric field, a conducting surface A) contains no charge B) contains charge C) is an equipotential D) Both A and C E) Both B and C F) none of the above