The lab report must include the following:
- Title
- Introduction
- Experimental Details or Theoretical Analysis
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusions and Summary
- References
Lab Activity
Please follow the steps given below to conduct the experiment:
- This lab requires you to produce a lab report to determine “The Electrostatic Force.” This is the“Title” of your lab report.
- Read the relevant chapter on electrostatic force and add an “Introduction.”
You conduct this lab by connecting to the PhET website by clicking on the link given below (or where applicable through the embedded simulation on the lab page):
(If you cannot use the above simulation or cannot get to the website by clicking on the link, please copy and paste the link into your browser. If the simulation is not running, please check if you have the latest Java, Adobe Flash, or HTML5 software [depending on the simulated lab]. If you download the relevant software and attempt to run the simulation and it is still not working, please call the IT helpdesk. It also could be that your computer does not have sufficient space to run the simulation. Please check all the possibilities).
- Once you open the simulation, please check the boxes on the top right side. Also, note that you have a measuring tape in the box on the right side. Now, you can use the charges at the bottom of the simulation to conduct the lab scenarios given below. All movements and tools you use in this simulated experiment will form the “Experimental Details” section of the lab report. You must keep a record of all the values appearing on the screen as experimental values for the scenario. These values also form part of the “Results” section of the lab report. Now, complete the theoretical calculations. These calculated values also form the “Results” section of the lab report.
- Now, you can complete the “Discussion” section of your lab report by comparing the values and discussing any differences in the theoretical and experimental values and any other information relevant to the experiment.
- Complete the lab report by adding a summary to the “Conclusion” section of your lab report.
- Submit the lab report to the relevant Canvas Dropbox
Please watch the following video to learn more about electrostatic forces:
Coulomb’s Law (video) | Static electricity | Khan AcademyLinks to an external site.
Lab Scenario
- Calculate the electrostatic force between +1nc and -1nc charges at a distance of 10 cm from each other. Do not forget to mention the direction of the force, too.
- Calculate the electrostatic force between -1nc and -1nc charges at a distance of 10 cm from each other. Do not forget to mention the direction of the force, too.
- Calculate the electrostatic force between +1nc and +1nc charges at a distance of 10 cm from each other. Do not forget to mention the direction of the force, too.