Download 9 phet Voltage Mapping

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Lab Activity # 9: Mapping Equipotential lines
Launch Simulation
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In Google search: Phet Fields
Click on Charges and Fields ; click play
Select Grid
Single Charge:
Place a single charge in the field. Using the Voltmeter locate a position where the voltage is about
50 V. (NOTE it is impossible to find the exact spot.) Click the pencil button. Locate 40v, 30v, 20v,
and 10V. Sketch the Equipotential map. Click Electric Field and sketch the electric field lines.
Equipotential Lines: label voltages
Measure the potential 5 boxes away________
Electric Field Lines
10 boxes away_________
Is the inverse or inverse square relationship? Explain
Measure the electric field 10 boxes away________
20 boxes away_________
Is the inverse or inverse square relationship? Explain:
Two Equal Point Charges: Place a positive and a negative charge 30 boxes away. Locate a point
with approximately 0V and draw the line. Draw lines for 1,2, 3,4 and -1,-2,-3,-4. Sketch below, label.
Two unequal Point Charges: Place an additional positive charge on top of the original. Locate
approximately 0V and draw. Locate +1, +2, +3, -1,-2, -3 Sketch below
Why isn’t the zero volts line in the middle?
Click on the electric field. Describe the direction of the electric field with respect to the equipotential
lines. Do they point to higher or lower voltage?
Parallel Plates: On a vertical grid line place 10 positive charges and 30 boxes away 10 negative
charges. Try to be a precise as possible. Use the potential meter to locate and draw 0V, 10V, 20V,
30V, -10, -20 and -30 V. (approximate) Sketch below
Find a location where the equipotential lines are somewhat evenly spaced. (Indicate on sketch) Use
the tape measure and measure the distance between two lines. ___________
Record the Voltage for each line and compute V:
Calculate the electric field:
Measure the electric field halfway between the lines _________. Are they similar?