In the previous lab activity you collected data for a positive test charge that was forced to move in the electric field of a positive source charge.  As the test charge was moved closer to the source charge, work was done and potential energy was stored in the system.  Because the potential energy increased, the electric potential also increased as the test charge was brought closer to the source.

 

In the analysis of this system, it was noted that the electric field of the source and the electrostatic force exerted on the test charge both varied as the inverse of the distance squared from the source.  Do you think that the electric potential also varies as the inverse square of the distance of separation?

 

Lab: Electric Potential as a Function of Distance

In this lab you will determine how the electric potential between a source charge and a test charge varies as distance of separation changes.

 

 

Purpose

 

In this lab activity you will design an experiment and collect data to answer the following question:

  • Does the electric potential between a source charge and a test charge vary as the inverse square of the distance of separation?

Use the Electric Field Potential, Non-Uniform simulation as a tool to gather the data for this lab.  Make the initial settings of the simulation identical to those used in the previous investigation.

 

In this set-up, you can collect data along the x -axis from 100 m to 600 m.  Your determination of the answer to the question will help you with Part Three of Assignment 5.