Inhomogeneous electric fields (dipole fields)

Principle

Investigate the electric field, which is created by applying a voltage to two circular electrodes.

Benefits

• No electrolyte required
• Direct measurement of potential with high resistance voltmeter
• Measuring points can be transferred (pressed through) onto a sheet of white paper during measurement

Tasks

Determine the equipotential lines of the electric field between the two electrodes and derive the electric field pattern.

Learning objectives

With this experiment the students will investigate the electric field between two circular electrodes. This field corresponds to the attractive field between two point charges. It also referred to as a static dipole field and serves as an example of an inhomogeneous field.