Asif Shakur*, Paul Clements
Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD, USA.
*Corresponding author: Asif Shakur
Abstract
Electric field mapping is a time-honored experiment in undergraduate physics. The concept of electric fields is an important topic in undergraduate physics for majors and non-majors alike. The design of this apparatus has evolved continually for at least 70 years. The search for the ultimate electric field mapping apparatus has continued unabated since Overbeck published his design in 1948. Currently, the most popular design uses a silver ink pen to paint the electrodes. The silver ink pen is not only exorbitantly priced but also emits toxic vapors. This paper presents the design of an electric field mapping apparatus that is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, student-friendly, and may well be the world’s simplest electric field mapping apparatus. Instead of using the very expensive and toxic silver-ink pen to paint the electrodes, we use very inexpensive copper foil tape with a conductive adhesive backing. Electrodes of any desired shape can be cut from the copper-foil tape.
References
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[11] Pasco: conductive silver ink pen.
[12] https://www.tedpella.com/SDS_html/16041_16042_sds.pdf.
[13] Amazon: conductive adhesive tape.
[14] Amazon: kid’s craft hole puncher.
How to cite this paper
The World's Simplest Electric Field Mapping Apparatus
How to cite this paper: Asif Shakur, Paul Clements. (2022) The World's Simplest Electric Field Mapping Apparatus. Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 6(1), 76-79.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jepes.2022.12.001