Electric Field Direction: Help Determine from Experiments

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on determining the direction of the electric field generated in a classroom experiment involving a glass pan, copper, and lead electrodes. The experiment measured voltage at various points, revealing that voltage increases from the lead to the copper. This indicates that the electric field direction is from the positively charged lead towards the negatively charged copper, aligning with the principle that electric field direction follows the force on a positive test charge, as described by the equation E=F/q.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and their properties
  • Familiarity with voltage measurement techniques
  • Knowledge of basic electrostatics, including charge interactions
  • Proficiency in using vector notation in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of electric field lines and their representation
  • Learn about the relationship between voltage and electric field strength
  • Explore experimental setups for measuring electric fields
  • Investigate the applications of E=F/q in various electrostatic scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, educators conducting experiments on electrostatics, and anyone interested in understanding electric field behavior in practical applications.

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Homework Statement


We had an experiment in class where we had a glass pan with a piece of copper and lead with positive and negative leads attached. I have to figure out in which direction the electric field goes. We measured the voltage an numerous places in the pan. The numbers go bigger as they went form the lead to the copper. Can someone assist me in determining the direction of the electric field?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you have a positive charged body and place a positive test charge near the body, the electric field will be in the direction of the force on the test charge. i.e. E=F/q where E and F are vectors.
 

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