Project 4: Electric Field Mapping
Subject Electricity — Electric Fields & Potential
Level SMA / Cambridge A Level Physics (9702)
Duration 2 weeks
Group Size 2–3 students
Background
An electric field is a region where a charged particle experiences a force. Electric field lines show
the direction of force on a positive test charge, while equipotential lines connect points of equal
electric potential. Mapping these experimentally using a conducting paper technique allows
students to visualize invisible field structures.
Research Question
What is the shape of the electric field and equipotential lines between: (a) two parallel plate
electrodes, and (b) a point charge configuration? How do they compare to the theoretical
predictions?
Objectives
• To map equipotential lines between two electrode configurations.
• To draw electric field lines perpendicular to equipotentials.
• To compare experimental field maps with theoretical predictions.
• To calculate electric field strength E = -ΔV/Δx at various points.
Materials
• Low-voltage DC power supply (6–12 V)
• Conducting (carbon-coated) paper
• Two metal electrodes (flat bar and circular/point shapes)
• Galvanometer or sensitive voltmeter / digital multimeter
• Connecting wires with crocodile clips
• Probe with sharp tip
• Ruler and pencil
Theory
Electric field strength: E = -dV/dx (V/m) — negative gradient of potential.
For uniform field (parallel plates): E = V/d, field lines are straight and parallel.
For point charge: E = kQ/r², field lines radiate outward, equipotentials are concentric circles.
Field lines are always perpendicular to equipotential surfaces — this is a key principle to verify
experimentally.
Procedure
• Place the conducting paper on a cork board. Press electrodes firmly onto the paper and
connect to the power supply.
• Switch on power (6 V). Use the voltmeter probe to find points at V = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 V.
• Mark each point with a pencil. Connect points of equal voltage to draw equipotential lines.
• Draw electric field lines perpendicular to the equipotentials, from high V to low V.
• Repeat with the second electrode configuration.
• Calculate E between adjacent equipotentials: E = ΔV/Δx.
Results Table
Position V₁ (V) V₂ (V) E = ΔV/Δx (V/m)
Near positive
electrode
Centre
Near negative
electrode
Edge (parallel plates)
Analysis
Compare your equipotential maps with textbook diagrams for each configuration. Verify that field
lines are perpendicular to equipotentials. Analyze whether E is uniform between parallel plates
(equipotentials equally spaced). Discuss edge effects near the ends of the plates.
Assessment Criteria
• Clean, accurate field maps for both configurations (30%)
• Correct perpendicularity of field lines to equipotentials (20%)
• Calculation of E at multiple points (20%)
• Comparison with theoretical predictions (20%)
• Safety, neatness, and report organization (10%)