Investigation of Electric Fields Worksheet

The purpose of this lab is to study the electric fields generated by a single charge and also two identical charges. You will determine how the magnitude of a field from a single charge is affected by the distance from its source.

In this assignment, you will use a virtual simulation to investigate the electric fields.

Instructions

Your task is to plan an experiment that attempts to answer the testable question. First propose a hypothesis, then design and execute your experiment. Once you have collected your data, analyze it and communicate your findings in the form of a lab report.

Testable Question

How is the magnitude of the electric field affected by the distance from the source?

Hypothesis

Propose a hypothesis based on the testable question. Make sure your hypothesis includes a proof of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, which should include relevant equations.

Simulation

Select the link to access the simulation.

PhET Lab: Charges and Fields Simulation

Recommended Settings

1. Open the simulation. Select the following options:
   1. Electric Field
   2. Grid
   3. Values
2. Drag the tape measure and the sensor (yellow circle) onto the workspace.

Pre-laboratory Work

Before you perform your planned experiment, complete these activities.

1. Place a+1 nC (nanoCoulomb) charge somewhere near the centre of the grid. The simulation uses short, shaded arrows to represent the field. Instead, sketch the electric field using solid lines with arrows to represent the field. Sketch a diagram of the resulting electric field.
2. Beginning again with an empty screen, place two+1 nC charges horizontally separated b1 m (100 cm) near the center of the grid. Draw the resulting pattern using SOLID lines with arrows. Using the E-field Sensor, find a location where the field has a magnitude of. Sketch a diagram of the resulting electric field. (Note: The simulation uses units of to represent the magnitude of the field (1 V/m = 1 N/C).

Materials

Although you are using a simulation, you still need to prepare a list of materials. Similar to ‘hands-on’ activities, list all the necessary materials needed for someone to recreate the experiment.

Do not list the simulation as a material item in your lab report.

Procedure

For this activity, you must design your own procedure to address your testable question.

Design your procedure as a controlled experiment. Write your procedure with enough detail that a person could take your procedure and replicate your results. Make sure to explain exactly how to measure and collect your data from the experiment.

Important

Your lab report should include the following sections:

• Testable question
• Hypothesis
• Materials
• Procedure
• Observations
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion

Observations: Electric Field Sketches

In addition to the electric field sketches requested as part of the pre-lab activities, you may want to include sketches of the electric field for the different conditions you test in your experiment.

Assessment Details

Your submission should include the following:

• Your lab report
• The two sketches from the pre-laboratory activity
• All in-text citations and reference list in APA style used in your report