lab manual

PHY150: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

CONTENT
EXPERIMENT PAGE

EXPERIMENT 1: COULOMB’S LAW 2

EXPERIMENT 2: CAPACITANCE 5

EXPERIMENT 3: DC CIRCUIT 9

EXPERIMENT 4: MAGNETISM 16

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 Experiment 1: Coulomb’s Law
Link: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/coulombs-law/latest/coulombs-law_en.html
Objectives:

1. To satisfy Coulomb’s law experimentally

2. To study the parameters that affect the electric force
3. To find experimentally the electric constant k

Theoretical Background:

Coulomb’s Law: “The magnitude of the electric force that a particle exerts on another is directly
proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between them.” Mathematically, the magnitude of this electrostatic force FE acting on two charged
particles (q1, q2) is expressed as:

q1 q2
FE = k 2
r
Where r is the separation distance between the charged objects and k is a constant of proportionality,
called the Coulomb constant, k = 9.0 × 109 Nm2/C2.

Part 1:

To satisfy the objectives do the following steps.

1- Click on the following link and fix the charge q1 and q2 write their values in the table 1.

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/coulombs-law/latest/coulombs-law_en.html

2
 2- Change the distance between the two charges as shown in the table 1.
3- Record the force value for each distance.
4- Fill table 1 by finding r2 and 1/r2.

Table 1

q1=…………. q2=………….
r (cm) r2 (m2) 1/r2 (1/m2) FE (N)
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3

Part 2:

To satisfy the objectives do the following steps.

1- Click on the following link and fix the charge q1 and the distance r, write their values in the
table 1.

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/coulombs-law/latest/coulombs-law_en.html

2- Control q1 and fix it at 5c and fix the distance between the two objects at 6 cm, record
them in table 2.
3- Change the charge of object 2 as shown in the table 2 and for each q 2 record the electric
force between the two objects in table 2.

Table 2
q1 = 5 C r=6 cm
q2 (C) FE (N)
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3

Data Analysis
Part one:
1- Uses excel software and plot a graph relates FE and r. comments on the graph.
2- Uses excel and plot one more graph relates FE and 1/r2. Use the graph to find the
electric constant k.

3
 ………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

3- Calculate the percentage error in k (kknown=9.0 × 109 Nm2/C2)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

Note: Attach the graphs to your sheet

Part two:

1- Uses excel software and plot a graph relates FE and q2. comments on the graph.
2- Use the graph to find the electric constant k.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

3- Calculate the percentage error in k (kknown=9.0 × 109 Nm2/C2)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Note: Attach the graphs to your sheet

4
 Experiment 2: Capacitance

Link: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/legacy/capacitor-lab

Objectives:

1. To study the capacitance varies with the separation between the plates
2. To study the capacitance varies with the area of the plates
3. To study the dielectric effects on the stored charge, energy, and voltage between the plates of
the capacitor, when it is connected or disconnected from the battery

Theoretical Background:

When a capacitor is connected to an EMF (E), the plates attain charge from the terminals of the
battery. The amount of charge is governed by the geometry of the capacitor. For a parallel plate
capacitor, the capacitance is given by

where A is the effective plate area (the area effectively overlapping, d is separation of the plates, is
electric permittivity of free space, and K is the dielectric constant for the insulating material in the inner
plate region.

In this lab, you will investigate this relation. First you will keep the separation constant and vary the
area. In this case, a plot of C against A should be a straight line with the slope given by

Then, you will keep the area contact and vary the separation. Here a plot of C against should be a
straight line with the slope given by

5
PART I: Capacitance

PROCEDURE:

1) Select “paper” from the choice of dielectrics in the menu on the right-hand side. Insert the
dielectric completely inside the capacitor. Check the “Capacitance” to see the capacitance
meter. The battery could be either connected or disconnected for this part.

2) Record the values of the plates’ area A0 (initially, it should be the smallest possible), distance
between the plates d0 (initially, it should be the largest possible), and corresponding
capacitance.

3) Slowly increase the plates’ area and measure the corresponding capacitance 4 more times.
Record your results in the table. It is recommended to use SI units for all measurements.

A C
0
1
2
3
4

4) Use Excel or other software of your choice to plot capacitance as dependent variable against
the area. Then, use linear regression to draw the best-fit line (also called trendline) to
approximate the data with the linear model. Insert the screenshot of your graph below. It
should contain:
 Labeled axes and units
 Data points and best-fit line (remember that the best-fit line does not necessarily go through
all the points, but approximates the trend)
 Equation of the best-fit line

5) Restore the area to initial. Slowly decrease the separation between the plates and measure
the corresponding capacitance 4 more times. Record your results in the table below, along
with the reciprocal of the separation.

d 1 C
d
0
1
2
3
4

6
 6) Use Excel or other software of your choice to plot capacitance as dependent variable against
the reciprocal of the separation between the plates. Then, use linear regression to draw the
best-fit line (also called trendline) to approximate the data with the linear model. Insert the
screenshot of your graph below. It should contain:
 Labeled axes and units
 Data points and best-fit line (remember that the best-fit line does not necessarily go through
all the points, but approximates the trend)
 Equation of the best-fit line

CONCLUSIONS:

 Summarize, based on your graphs, how the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor depends
on area of the plates and the separation between the plates.
 Use the slope of the one of the graphs to calculate K, the dielectric constant of paper. Show
your calculations below. Compare it with the value given by the simulator and find the percent
error.

Part 2: Effect of the dielectric on the capacitor

1) Revert the values of the plates’ area and the plate separation to the original and remove the
dielectric entirely from the capacitor. Show the capacitance, charge, voltage, and energy
meters by checking off approximate boxes on the right side of the simulator. (You will have to
“connect” the voltmeter – place the red electrode on the plate with the positive charge, and
the black electrode on the plate with the negative charge.)
2) Connect the battery and turn on the battery voltage to about 1 V. You might have to zoom in
or out the scale of some of the meters to measure the values effectively.

3) Slowly insert the dielectric inside the capacitor. As the dielectric fills more space in the
capacitor, observe and record the changes in

 Capacitance

 Charge

 Voltage between the plates

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  Energy stored by the capacitor

4) Remove the dielectric entirely and disconnect the battery. Repeat step 3 and record the
changes in

 Capacitance

 Charge

 Voltage between the plates

 Energy stored by the capacitor

Conclusion: Describe and explain your observations using the law of conservation of charge and the
properties of the conductors.

Questions:

1) If the battery is connected, is the energy of capacitor-battery system conserved throughout the
process of inserting the dielectric? Explain the changes of energy, if any.

2) If the battery is disconnected, does the energy stored in the capacitor remain constant as the
dielectric is inserted? Explain the changes of energy, if any

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 Experiment 3: DC Circuit

Link: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/circuit-construction-kit-dc-virtual-lab/latest/circuit-
construction-kit-dc-virtual-lab_en.html
Objectives:

1. To measure the current and voltage for simple DC circuit.

2. To study series connection of resistors
3. To study parallel connection of resistor

Theoretical Background:

Ohm’s Law

For a certain piece of material with fixed resistance, Ohm’s law states that the potential difference
(voltage) between the two ends of the material is directly proportional to the current flows through the
material:

V =IR (1)

for a simple DC circuit shown in Figure (1), the resistance R = V/ I .

Figure (1)

Where V is the potential difference between two points (voltage applied) measured in volts ( V ), R is
the resistance of the element measured in ohm (Ω), and I is the current flows across the element
measured in Ampere (A).

Combination of resistors:

1. Parallel combination of resistors:

When resistors connected side by side, the combination called parallel as shown in Figure
(2).

Figure (2)

The current is divided between the two resistors according to the magnitudes of each
V V
resistance where I 1= and I 2= . The total current flowing through the circuit is given
R1 R2
by:
I total=I 1+ I 2 (2)
And the voltage a cross the whole circuit will be the same.

9
 V power suply =V 1=V 2 (3)

The equivalent resistance is given by:

1 1 1
= + (4)
R eq R1 R2

2. Series combination of resistors:

When resistors follow each other then the elements are connected in series, see figure (3).

Figure (3)

Where the current flows across R1 and R2 is the same.

I total=I 1=I 2 (5)

While the summation of the voltage across the two resistances is equal to the total voltage
across the power supply.

V power supply =V 1+ V 2 (6)

The equivalent resistance for the series combination is given by:

Req =R1 + R2 (7)

PROCEDURE

PART I: MEASURING THE CURRENT AND THE VOLTAGE IN SIMPLE DC CIRCUIT.

1- Visit Phet interactive simulation website by clicking on the link below.

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/circuit-construction-kit-dc-virtual-lab/latest/circuit-construction-
kit-dc-virtual-lab_en.html
2- Take your time working on the simulation to get familiar with the function of each part.
3- Click on the battery symbol in the bottom right of the screen, and click on show current
(conventional), then construct a simple DC circuit contains of a battery, resistance, switch, and
wires as shown in figure (4).
4- Select the voltmeter from the right second box and connect the two terminals with the end points of
the resistor. What is the combination type between the resistance and voltmeter?

10
 Figure (4)

5- Drag the Ammeter and connect it with the circuit in series.

6- Record the reading of the voltmeter v1 in the data analysis, table 1.
7- Record the reading of the Ammeter I 1 on table 1.
8- Click on values and record the resistance R in table 1.
9- Click on the battery and change the voltage to 20 v.
10- Repeat the steps 6, 7, and 8, then right the results v2, I2, R in table 1.
11- Change the voltage to 30 v and repeat steps 6, 7, and 8. And right your result in table 1.
12- Make a screen shot to your circuit and paste it in your report.

PART II: SERIES CONNECTION OF RESISTORS.

1- Grab another resistor and connect it in the circuit in series as shown in figure (5).

Figure (5)

2- Adjust the power supply output to 120 Volts. And the two resistance to be R1= 20 Ω, R2 = 30 Ω.
(You can change the magnitude of the resistors and the voltage by clicking on each element you
want to change and then edit from the box shown below in the simulation)

3- Connect the voltmeter across the resistance R1 to measure the voltage drop V1(take screenshot).
4- Connect the voltmeter across the resistance R2 to measure the voltage drop V2 (take
screenshot).
5- Connect the voltmeter across the power supply (or across the two resistances) to measure the
total voltage vtotal. (take screenshot)
6- Calculate V1+ V2 and compare it to the total voltage across R1 and R2 (step 5).
7- Measure the electric current, I, using the Ammeter before R1, between R1 and R2, after R2, and
comment on your results.
8- Compare the product of I × R 1with the value V1.
9- Compare the product of I × R 2with the value V2.
10- Paste your screenshots in the lab report.

PART III: PARALLEL CONNECTION OF RESISTORS.

1. Connect the circuit shown in figure (6).

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 Figure (6)

2. Adjust the voltage of the power supply (battery) to 120 Volts.

3. Measure the voltage V1 across R1 using the voltmeter (take copy for the circuit).
4. Measure the voltage V2 across R2 using the voltmeter (take copy for the circuit).
5. Compare V1 to V2, to the output from the power supply Vtot (battery).
6. Measure the current I 1 through R1 using the Ammeter (take copy for the circuit).
7. Measure the current I 2 through R2 using the Ammeter (take copy for the circuit).
8. Measure the total current in the circuit I total (take copy for the circuit).
9. Calculate I 1+ I 2 and compare it to what you get in 8.
10. Record your data in your lab report.
11. paste your graphs in your lab report.

DATA CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS:

PART I: MEASURING THE CURRENT AND THE VOLTAGE IN SIMPLE DC CIRCUIT

1- Write your result from Part I in table 1.

Table (1)
V
Trial V (v) I (A ) R(Ω) Rcal . =
I
1

2- Comment on your results.

3- Paste your graph here.

Paste your graph here

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PART II: SERIES CONNECTION OF RESISTORS.

1- Write your result in table 2.

Table (2)
V1 V2 Vtotal V1 + V2

2- Comment on your result:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………

3- I (before R1) =_______, I (between R1 & R2) =________, I (afterR2) = _______

Comment on the current readings.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………

4- I × R 1 = ……………. V1 = ………………………
5- I × R 2= …………….. V2 = ……………………..

Comment on your results.

6. Paste your graphs here.

Paste your graphs

here

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PART III: PARALLEL CONNECTION OF RESISTORS.

1- Write your result in table 3.

Table (3)
V1 V2 Vtotal

2- Comment on your result:

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
3- Write your result of the current in table (4).
Table (4)
I1 I2 I total I 1+ I 2

Comment on your result.

4- Paste graphs here.

Paste graphs here

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Answer the following questions:

1. What do you expect if you connect the ammeter in parallel with the resistance?

2. What do you expect if you connect the voltmeter in series with the resistance?

3. Write the benefits of connecting rheostat in electrical circuits.

15
 Experiment 4: Magnetism

Link: http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Magnets_and_Electromagnets

Theoretical Background:

Permanent magnets are made from ferromagnetic materials in which the electrons circulating around
the nuclei behave much like current-carrying wire loops. The field from a single atom is extremely
small, but when a large number are put together, the magnetic field can get quite large. To make a
ferromagnetic material into a permanent magnet, the individual atoms or “current-loops” must be
preferentially aligned in one direction. This magnetizing process is usually done by putting the
material in strong magnetic field.

The field lines continue inside the magnet but appear to emerge from one end and re-enter at the
other end. The end from which they originate is traditionally called the north end of the magnet and
the other is called the south end. For a solenoid or coil, the end from which the field lines appear to
originate is also called the north end and the end toward which they point is called the south end.

This north-south naming convention arises from the behavior of such magnets in the earth’s magnetic
field. In playing with magnets you have probably noticed that when identical magnets are placed near
each other they may be attracted or repelled depending on their relative orientation. The north end of
one magnet will attract the south end of the other. Similarly, two north ends (or south ends) placed
close together will repel each other.

A compass needle is simply a small permanent magnet mounted so that it is free to turn. When a
magnet such as a compass needle is placed in a field of constant strength, there is no net force; each
end experiences an equal but opposite force that tends to turn the magnet so that the north end points
in the direction of the field. In the earth’s field the north end of the magnet points towards the earth’s
north pole.

Procedure:

1. Click

2. Move the compass around the bar magnet.

Question:
Which pole of the magnet does the red compass needle point towards?

3. Click “Flip Polarity” in the right menu.

Question:

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 Now which pole of the magnet does the red needle point towards? Does it still point toward
the same pole?

This means that the red part of the needle is a _________ pole.

4. Click in the right menu.

5. Check the box “Show Field Meter” in the right menu. A blue box should appear.
This measures the Magnetic Field around the magnet (which is known as ‘B’). The
Magnetic field is measured in Gauss (G). Move the field meter around the magnet.

Question:
Does the field increase or decrease as you move the meter closer to the magnet?

6. Move your meter so that it is about one inch (on your computer screen) away from the North
end of your magnet.

Question:
What is the magnitude of field strength (B) in Gauss?

7. Now move the meter the same distance away from the South end of your magnet.

Question:
Is the amount of magnetic field the same for both North and South ends of a magnet?

8. At the top left of the simulation window, click the “Electromagnet” tab. You should see a
battery connected to a wire with loops that has current running through it. Move your compass
around the electromagnet.

Question:

Is the left side of the electromagnet the North end or the South end? How do you know?

9. Click “Show Field Meter” in the right menu.

10. Move the meter around the electromagnet.

Question:
Does the field strength increase or decrease as you move the meter closer to the
electromagnet?

11. Place the meter about one inch (on your screen) from the left side of the electromagnet.

12. In the right menu you can adjust the number of loops in your electromagnet. For each number
of loops (1-4) write down the field strength in the table below.

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 # Loops Field Strength (in G)

Question:
Based on your data above, does the amount of field strength increase or decrease as you
increase the number of loops in an electromagnet?

13. Set the number of loops for your electromagnet back to 4 and make sure your field meter is
still one inch from the left side of the coils. Your battery has a sliding bar on it that lets
you adjust the voltage in your electromagnet. Complete the table below by adjusting
the voltage on the battery and writing down the field strength at each voltage.

Voltage (in V) Field Strength (in G)

10

Question:

Based on your data above, what is the relationship between voltage and field strength in an
electromagnet?

14. Answer all the questions in your discussion part.

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