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Assignment 3: Coulomb’s Law Lab (6%)

Due: Sunday, September 29th 11:59 pm [through D2L Assignments]

Background Information:
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Electrostatic forces can be attractive or repulsive in nature and follow Coulomb’s Law: 𝐹 = .
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Variables:
Independent Distance between pith balls
Dependent Angle of deflection pith balls
Controlled Mass of pith balls
Charge of pith balls

Experimental Procedure:

Go to http://www.thephysicsaviary.com/Physics/Programs/Labs/CoulombsLawLab/ (Physics Aviary

Coulomb’s Law Lab).

1. Click Begin button on the welcome screen to

launch the simulation.

2. Click Show Grid and Show Angle buttons.

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3. Click on Charge 1 and record the mass and
charge of the pith ball on the left. The charge of
this pith ball can be changed but does not need
to be. Click on the top of the box to close it.

4. Click on Charge 2 and record the mass and

charge of the pith ball on the right. The charge
of this pith ball can be changed but does not
need to be. Click on the top of the box to close
it.

5. Vary the distance between the pith balls using

the arrows at the top of each string. Record the
distance to the nearest 0.1 cm. Record the
angle of deflection of the pith ball to the nearest
0.1° for each distance.
Continue until you have recorded 10 pairs of
distances and deflection with a minimum data
range of 5 cm for distance.

Results:

Create one or two data tables to record the masses of pith balls, charges of pith balls, distances between
pith balls, and angles of deflection of pith balls.

Analysis:
• The pith balls will be in equilibrium; that is, any forces (or components of forces) in the horizontal
direction will add to zero and any forces (or components of forces) in the vertical direction will add to
zero.
o Create a labelled free-body diagram for the pith ball on the right, including the electrostatic
force of repulsion, the force of gravity, and the force of tension. Include any relevant
components of these forces.
§ Free-body diagram must show all relevant forces (and components), in the proper
direction, and with proper labels. Forces must be scaled appropriately to show relative
magnitude.

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 o Calculate the electrostatic force between the pith balls from the mass and angle of deflection
of the pith ball on right.
§ Include one sample calculation for the largest angle of deflection and summarize the
other nine forces in a data table.
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• The relationship between electrostatic force and distance is given by Coulomb’s Law (𝐹 = ). This
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relationship is not linear.
o Explain how the distance measurements must be manipulated to create a linear relationship
with force.
§ Include one sample calculation for the smallest distance and summarize the other
nine distances in a data table (the same data table as the electrostatic forces
calculated above).
• Create a graph (using Sheets or Excel) of the electrostatic force as a function of
_________________ (manipulated distance). Include a linear trendline and show the equation on the
graph.
• Use the slope of the graph to determine the experimental value of Coulomb’s constant (k). Your
calculations should include an explanation / derivation of how the slope of the graph is related to the
value of k.
o You must use the slope for this calculation. Your calculation cannot include any
electrostatic force or distance values. If your graph has a y-intercept, ignore it.
• Determine the percent error of your result by comparing your experimental value of k with the
known/accepted value of k.

Requirements
• Your lab report must be typed (see exemplar for suggested formatting). The free-body diagram must
be computer-generated, the tables must be created with a word processor, the calculations must be
completed with an equation editor, and the graph must be made using graphing software.
• Your lab report must include the following sections (with headings):
o Results
§ table or tables of masses, charges, distances, and angles
o Analysis
§ Each bullet point above should be completed, with all calculations, tables, and graphs
introduced with a detailed title.
• Upload your completed paper as “Last Name – Assignment 3” to the Assignment 3 Dropbox.

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Evaluation
This assignment is graded out of 20 points using the following rubric and is worth 6% of the final grade.

Learners may receive partial scores or a zero for unacceptable work.

Meets Meets Most Meets Some Meets Few or No Max

Criteria
Expectations Expectations Expectations Expectations Points
Free body diagram Free body diagram
Free body diagram Free body diagram
Free Body is mostly correct is somewhat
is completely is incorrect with ≥ 4 2
Diagram with has 1 minor correct with 2-3
correct. errors.
error. errors.

Calculation of
Calculation of Calculation of Calculation of
electrostatic force Calculation of
Electrostatic electrostatic force electrostatic force
is somewhat electrostatic force 2
Force is completely is mostly correct
correct with 2 is incorrect.
correct. with 1 minor error.
errors.

Data linearization
Data linearization Data linearization
Linearization is somewhat Data linearization
is completely is mostly correct 2
of Data correct with 2 is incorrect.
correct. with 1 minor error.
errors.

Graph is mostly Graph is somewhat

Graph is Graph is incorrect
Graph correct with 1 correct with 2 4
completely correct. with ≥ 3 errors.
minor error. errors.

Calculation of Calculation of Calculation of

Calculation of
Coulomb’s Coulomb’s Coulomb’s
Coulomb’s
Calculation of constant from constant is partially constant is
constant from
Coulomb’s slope is mostly correct, but slope incorrect. Slope is 4
slope is completely
Constant correct and is may not be used, not used, and no
correct and is well
somewhat or an explanation explanation is
explained.
explained. is not included. provided.

Calculation of Calculation of Calculation of

Error Calculation of
percent error is percent error is percent error
Calculation & percent error is 4
mostly correct with somewhat correct incorrect with ≥ 3
Analysis completely correct.
1 minor error. with 2 errors. errors.

Report meets
Report meets all Report meets most Report meets few
some formatting
formatting formatting formatting
Writing & requirements.
requirements. requirements. requirements.
Overall Several 2
Formatting No grammatical, Few grammatical, Many grammatical,
grammatical,
spelling or spelling or spelling and
spelling or
punctuation errors. punctuation errors. punctuation errors.
punctuation errors.

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