Ministry of higher education and of scientific

research
University M’hamed Bougara Boumerdes
Faculty of Hydrocarbons and Chemistry
TP Physics N’3’

STUDY OF THE ELECTRIC FIELD AND

POTENTIAL BETWEEN TWO
CONDUCTORS

Students of group STH(07):

• DJEFFAL MOHANNED ABD ERRAOUF

• AKREM BEN CHAABAN

Pr :

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 OBJECTIVE:

Around two conductors supplied with a potential difference and placed on carbon paper
ensuring a low surface current, the experiments will enable :

 Study the potential distribution around the two

conductors and the equipotential paths,
 Study the electric field qualitatively and trace the field lines,
 Check the potential - field relationships.

1\INTRODUCTION :
Studying the electric field is fundamental in electrical physics. It refers to
the force exerted by an electric charge on another charge within its
electric field. The electric field can be visualized as a collection of
imaginary lines ext ending in all directions from the generating charge.
The electric field is defined by physical laws and represented by
schematic diagrams known as electric field lines. These lines of force
point from positively charged regions to negatively charged regions, with
higher line density in areas of stronger electric force.
Analyzing the electric field helps understand the electrical behavior of
charged objects. The direction and magnitude of the electric field at any
point can be determined using electrical and magnetic laws, such as
Coulomb’s law and Gauss’s law. Additionally, mathematical equations
and computational techniques can be used to analyze and design
electrical circuits and charging systems.
2\OBJECTIVE :
Through experiments conducted around two conductors supplied with a
potential difference and placed on carbon paper to ensure a low surface
current, the following objectives can be achieved :
1. Study the potential distribution : The voltage can be measured
at different points around the conductors using a voltage
measuring device. These readings are recorded and a map of the
potential distribution around the conductors is drawn. This helps

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 in understanding how the potential is distributed and how electric
fields are formed around the conductors.
2. Study equipotential paths : Using a thin wire or a thin
conductor, paths containing the same potential (equipotential
paths) can be drawn. These paths are drawn on the carbon paper
and can be clearly seen. This allows for an understanding of the
potential distribution between the conductors and the formation
of equipotential paths.
3. Study the electricfield : Test points can be used to measure the
electric field at different points around the conductors. These
readings are recorded and electric field lines are drawn. The
electric field lines show the direction and strength of the electric
field in the area between the conductors.
4. Check the potential-field relationships : By analyzing the data
obtained from the experiments, the theoretical relationships
between potential and electric field, such as Ohm’s law and
Coulomb’s law, can be verified.

Through these experiments, the potential distribution and electric field

around the conductors can be understood, and the theoretical
relationships related to potential and electric field can be confirmed.
3\Theoretical part :
Electric field lines : When a conductor is electrically charged, it gives rise
to an electrostatic field E in the space around it. At any point in this
space, the field E is tangent to curves called field lines.
Equipotential surfaces : These are the geometric of the points M which
have the same value of the electric potential, that is to say V(M) =
constant. Field lines are always perpendicular to equipotential surfaces :
other wise Said. E is always per perpendicular to the equipotential
surfaces

Conductors : are materials that allow electric current to flow easily

through them.

-Conductors have low resistance to the flow of electric current.

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 For example, metals such as copper and aluminum

Insulators : are materials that prevent the flow of electric current easily.

- Insulators are characterized by high resistance to the flow of electric

current.

For example rubber, glass and wood

3\EXPERIMENTAL PART :

Multimete

10 V
El + -
El Power
ec ec
tr tr
o o
d d

Experience1 :POTENTIAL AND FIELD PRODUCED BY FLAT ELECTRODES

a) Qualitative observations:
NOTE
When moving the probe from the reference electrode to the high
potential electrode, the potential increases
b) Plotin equipotential :

V(volt) 3 6 9

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 X(cm) 2 5 8.4

2.1 5.1 8.2

1.9 5.1 8.3

2 5.2 8.4

2.1 5.1 8.4

•The shape and direction of the lines and the average of the electrical
magazines:

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 ∆V 3−0 6−3 9−6
E =∆ X E= 2−0 =1.5 V/cm E= 5−2 =1 V/cm E= 8.4−5 =0.88
V/cm
c) Determining the potential V(x) :

X(cm) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
V(volt) 2.52 3.45 4.29 5.10 6.12 7 7.92
X(cm) 8 9 10 11 12 \\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\
V(volt) 8.84 9.65 9.82 10.50 11.30 //////// ////////

The graph of V(volt) in terms of X(cm) :

2. POTENTIAL AND FIELD PRODUCED BY CONCENTRIC CYLINDRICAL

ELECTRODES :

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 In this experiment, we modified the shape of the conductor and
recorded observations at different distances (x), similar to the written
calligraphy experiment
Plotting equipotential surfaces and field lines :The required fee :

3. Potential and field produced by a cylindrical electrode and a

flatElectrode :

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 We repeat the same previous process, but we change the vectors, and we
take notes as shown in Figure 3.

The required fee :

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 4.Potential and fieldproduced by two non-concentric cylindrical:

Figure 4

Electrodes :
We repeat the same previous process, changing the vectors again, and taking
notes as shown in Figure 4

Required drawing: Using several points, draw three equipotential lines:

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 Conclution:
In summary, our study has not only validated theoretical principles
through empirical evidence but also highlighted the intricacies and the
underlying uniformity of electric fields and potentials between two conductors.
These insights are invaluable for students and professionals alike, offering a
deeper appreciation of the principles of electromagnetism and their
application in the real world. Future studies could expand upon this work by
exploring non-uniform fields, the effects of medium between the conductors
on field distribution, and real-world applications in electrical engineering and
design.

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