You will be mapping out the equipotential surfaces of various configurations of conductors. From the equipotential surfaces,
Question:
You will be mapping out the equipotential "surfaces" of various configurations of conductors. From the equipotential surfaces, you will then sketch out the electric field lines.
Let's first consider a few items regarding electric fields and conductors:
1) Electric field lines point from positive charges to negative charges.
2) Electric field lines never cross each other.
3) The electric field at the surface of a conductor is perpendicular to the surface of the conductor everywhere on the surface.
4) The electric field lines are close together in the region of space where the the electric field is most intense.
5) The electric potential, or voltage V, is the same everywhere on an equipotential surface. Duh.
6) The equipotential surfaces are continuous and smooth beyond the surface of a conductor.
7) Equipotiental surfaces are perpendicular to the electric fieldlines. So if you can find the equipotential surfaces, you can determine the shape of the electric field. That is the whole point of this week's lab.
How many different conductor configuratations will you bemapping?
How many equipotential surfaces will you map out for each conductor?
Fundamentals of Physics
ISBN: 978-0471758013
8th Extended edition
Authors: Jearl Walker, Halliday Resnick