Physics Extended Essay about Gauss' law and/or Lorentz force

[VeryNice]

Homework Statement

Writing a 4000 words research on any topic in physics

Relevant Equations

F = qE + qv × B

Hi. This is not exactly a homework problem, but I'm posting to ask for help for my extended essay.
I am doing the IB (international baccalaureate) program and we are required to write a 4000 words extended essay on any subject.
I decided to do mine on physics (through process of elimination ), but I feel lost. The paper usually has to be experimental for science subjects.
I am interested in Gauss law and/or Lorentz force but I'm struggling to find real life applications that can be tested in a school lab.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'd also appreciate suggestions on any other topics as well.
Thanks!

 

[berkeman]

You can use an Electroscope to demonstrate Gauss' Law (or more accurately the Coulomb Force), including doing some calculations for deflection versus charge voltage.

The full Lorentz Force is a little more involved to demonstrate, but you could use a CRT display to do it. Unfortunately that involves high voltages and moderate power, so you should only do that if you have a good in-person Mentor who is familiar with that type of setup.

 

[kuruman]

I decided to do mine on physics (through process of elimination ), but I feel lost. The paper usually has to be experimental for science subjects.

The process of elimination is OK, but it doesn't work well if it results in your being lost. You put the cart before the horse. If you want to do experimental physics, first you need to decide what experiments are within your realm of capabilities. If you are not good with your hands, you will not be able to go very far and you will end up with a half-a**ed piece of work. As an alternative to an experimental (or theoretical essay) related to physics, have you considered a historical kind of essay?

For example, since you are interested in E&M stuff, you could consider tracing the experimental origin of what we now know as Maxwell's equations, their original formulation(s), the synthesis that Maxwell brought about and their importance in the formulation of special relativity by Einstein.

 

[VeryNice]

You can use an Electroscope to demonstrate Gauss' Law (or more accurately the Coulomb Force), including doing some calculations for deflection versus charge voltage.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely include that as one of the ideas.

 

[ugao]

The process of elimination is OK, but it doesn't work well if it results in your being lost. You put the cart before the horse. If you want to do experimental physics, first you need to decide what experiments are within your realm of capabilities. If you are not good with your hands, you will not be able to go very far and you will end up with a half-a**ed piece of work. As an alternative to an experimental (or theoretical essay) related to physics, have you considered a historical kind of essay?

For example, since you are interested in E&M stuff, you could consider tracing the experimental origin of what we now know as Maxwell's equations, their original formulation(s), the synthesis that Maxwell brought about and their importance in the formulation of special relativity by Einstein.
Using here for a Physics Extended Essay on Gauss’s Law or the Lorentz force has been really helpful. It helped me organize my ideas, structure the essay, and clarify complex concepts. While I still added my own analysis and calculations, the AI made drafting and refining much easier and faster.

Agree. For Gauss’s Law, we experiment with charged spheres or cylinders using simple electroscopes or voltage sensors to measure the field at various points—showing how the field depends on enclosed charge. For the Lorentz force, a small current-carrying wire in a magnetic field can demonstrate force direction and magnitude.