P2420105

Electric fields and potentials in the plate

capacitor

Electrical fields and potentials in the plate capacitor is measured as a function of the plate spacing and the voltage

Physics Electricity & Magnetism Electrostatics & electric field

   
Difficulty level Group size Preparation time Execution time

medium 2 10 minutes 20 minutes

Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]

37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

General information

Application

Electric fields are the cause of many phenomena,

especially in particle physics.

The electric field and potential of the plate capacitor are

ideal to study the basic principles of homogeneous fields.

In this experiment, the field is investigated as a function

of the voltage applied to the capacitor and as a function
of the distance between the plates.

The electric potential between the plates is measured

with the flame probe. By this principle the air around the
tip of the probe is ionized by a flame to avoid
Experimental setup for the measurement electrostatic induction.
of the electric field strength

2/12
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

Other information (1/2)

Prior For the theoretical derivation of the fundamentals of this experiment, Maxwell's
equations can be used. Basic knowledge about electric fields and the fundamental
knowledge
understanding of a capacitor should be available.

Scientific The plate capacitor is the basic example of a homogeneous electric field. The
potential between the plates increases linearly from the grounded plate to the
principle charged plate. The electric field between the plates is uniform and can be varied
by the applied voltage and the distance between the plates.

Other information (2/2)

Learning In this experiment the students learn that the electric field strength in the plate
capacitor depends on the applied voltage and the distance between the plates.
objective
In addition, the linear course of the potential between the capacitor plates is
demonstrated experimentally.

Tasks The relationship between voltage and electric field strength is investigated, with
constant plate spacing.

The relationship between electric field strength and plate spacing is investigated,
with constant voltage.

In the plate capacitor, the potential is measured with a probe, as a function of

position.

3/12
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

Safety instructions

The general instructions for safe experimentation in science lessons apply to this
experiment.

Working with high voltage is always dangerous and requires increased caution.
Make sure that neither you nor others can accidentally touch parts connected to
the high voltage source. For your safety and the safety of the equipment, make
sure that the grounding is connected.

Theory (1/3)

rotE⃗ = −
δ B⃗
δt
divD⃗ = ρ

follow from Maxwell's equations for the electric field E⃗ in the plate capacitor.
Taking the steady-state case in the charge-free space into account, the following is given:

rotE⃗ = 0
(1)
divD⃗ = 0
(2)
Regarding parallel capacitor plates, eq. (2) implies, that the field is perpendicular to the plates.

4/12
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

Theory (2/3)

Since the field is irrotational (cf. eq. (1)) it can be represented as the gradient of a scalar field:

E⃗ = −gradφ = − ∂∂φx
while E⃗ because of its uniformity, may also be expressed as the quotient of differences

∣E⃗∣ = φ1 − φ0
U =
∣ ∣ x0 − x1d (3)

where the potential difference is equal to the applied voltage U and d is the distance between the plates.

Theory (3/3)

With constant voltage U , the field strength E varies in

inverse proportion to the spacing d .

If the measured values are plotted on a double

logagaritmic scale, then because

log E = log
U = log U − log d
d
a straight line is obtained with slope m = −1.

With x1 = 0 and φ1 = U follows from (3)

φ = U −E⋅x
matching the illustration on the right.

5/12
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

Equipment

Position Material Item No. Quantity

PHYWE Power supply, regulated DC: 0...12 V, 0,5 A; 0...650 V, 50 mA / AC: 6,3
1 13672-93 1
V, 2 A
2 Plate capacitor, 283x283 mm 06233-02 2
3 Capacitor plate w.hole 11500-05 1
4 Potential probe 11501-00 1
5 High-value resistor, 10 MOhm 07160-00 1
6 Blow lamp, butan cartridge,X2000 46930-00 1
7 Butane cartridge C206, without valve, 190 g 47535-01 1
8 Rubber tubing, i.d. 6 mm 39282-00 1
Digital multimeter, 600V AC/DC, 10A AC/DC, 20 MΩ, 200 µF, 20 kHz, −20°C…
9 07122-00 1
760°C
10 Connecting cord,100 mm, green-yellow 07359-15 1
11 Connecting cord, 32 A, 750 mm, red 07362-01 3
12 Connecting cord, 32 A, 750 mm, blue 07362-04 3
13 Optical bench expert l = 600 mm 08283-00 1
14 Base for optical bench expert, adjustable 08284-00 2
15 Slide mount for optical bench expert, h = 80 mm 08286-02 2
16 Support rod, stainless steel, l = 250 mm, d = 10 mm 02031-00 2
17 Right angle clamp expert 02054-00 2
18 Barrel base expert 02004-00 2
19 Ruler, plastic, 200 mm 09937-01 1
20 Stand tube 02060-00 1
21 Electric Field Meter 11500-30 1

6/12
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

Setup and procedure

Setup (1/3)

Setup for measurements 1 and 2:

Attach the electric field meter to the capacitor plate /

holder and mount it on the optical bench.

Mount the second capacitor plate also on the optical

bench and connect the power supply and multimeter as
shown in the figure.

Place the protective cap on the electric field meter and

connect it via USB to a computer.

Start the program EFMXX5_ReadOut. Click on "Device

info" and "Continue". Start zero adjustment and follow
Experimental setup with protection cap
the instructions.
for calibration

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Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

Setup (2/3)

Setup for measurements 1 and 2:

Remove the cap and "Start measurement display".

Choose "Measure mode" "E-Fieldmeter".

Press "Start" for data aquisition.

Adjust measurement range as needed.

Experimental setup with protection cap

for calibration

Setup (3/3)

Setup for measurement 3:

Mount the voltage measuring attachment to

the electric field meter and connect it as
shown in the figure on the left.

With the voltage measuring attachment the

electric field meter is capable of measuring
voltages in the ranges of 50 V , 250 V , 500 V
and 2500 V .

Choose "Measure mode" "Voltemeter MK 11".

Press "Start" for data aquisition.

setup for the measurement of the electrical potential Adjust measurement range as needed.

8/12
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

Procedure (1/3)

Measurement 1: Electric field of the plate capacitor as a

function of the distance between the plates

Place the second capacitor plate 10 cm from the plate

at the electric field meter.

Apply different voltages according to table 1 of the

evaluation section.

Note the resulting values for the measured electric

field strength in the table.

Measurement of the electric field as a

function of voltage

Procedure (2/3)

Measurement 2: Electric field strength of the plate

capacitor as a function of the distance between the capacitor
plates

Apply a voltage of 200 V to the plate capcitor.

Take measurements for the distance between the

capacitor plates according to table 2 of the evaluation
section.

Note your measurements in the table.

Measurement of the electric field as a

function of the distance between the plates

9/12
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

Procedure (3/3)

Measurement 3: Electric potential of the plate

capacitor as a function of the location between
the plates

Execute the setup for the measurement of

the electric potential and place the capacitor
plates at a distance of 10 cm.

Light an approximately 1 cm large flame at

the tip of the glass tube, engulfing the tip of
the probe.

Apply a voltage of 250 V to the capacitor.

Measure the electric potential in steps of

Measurement of the potential as a function of the
1 cm between the plates.
location between the plates

Evaluation (1/3) Table 1

Note the measured values for the electrical field strength E as a function of the voltage applied to
the plate capacitor with fixed distance d = 10 cm between the plates.

U [V ] U=1010V U=2525V U=
50 50V U=
75 75V U=100V
100 U=125V 150
125 U=150V 200
U=200V 250
U=250V

E [kV /m]

Create a graph from your measurement series.

Since E = d1 ⋅ U the slope m of the linear regression E = m ⋅ U 

should match with the reciprocal distance of the plates 1/d.

10/12
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

Evaluation (2/3) Table 2

Note the measured values for the electrical field strength E as a function of the distance between the
capacitor plates at fixed voltage U = 200 V .

d [cm] d= 22cm d=3 3cm d=4 4cm d=5 5cm d=

6 6cm d=
7 7cm d=
8 8cm 10
d=10cm 12
d=12cm

E [kV /m]
Create graphs from your measurement series with linear scales and double logaritmic
scale. Check the slope of the double logaritmic scale according to the theory.  
You can also simply plot the resulting electric field strengths with respect to the
reciprocal distance 1/d [1/m] (note that the distances were measured in cm). Since
E = U ⋅ d1 the slope m of the linear regression E = m ⋅ d1 should then match with the
applied voltage U .

Evaluation (3/3) Table 3

Note the measured values for the electric potential φ as a function of the location x between the
capacitor plates at fixed voltage U = 250 V and distance d = 10 cm.

d [cm] x=1 1cm x=2 2cm x=3 3cm x=

4 4cm x=
5 5cm x=
6 6cm x=
7 7cm x=
8 8cm x=
9 9cm

E [kV /m]

Create a graph from your measurement series. 

According to the theory the resulting graph should match with

φ = U −E⋅x

11/12
Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de
P2420105

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Robert-Bosch-Breite 10 Tel.: 0551 604 - 0 [email protected]
37079 Göttingen Fax: 0551 604 - 107 www.phywe.de