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PPhysicsS1 to S4Electrostatics
Electrostatics lab: charges, forces and fields
Lightning, photocopiers and spray painting all use electric charge. Explore how charges push and pull, and draw their invisible fields.
LevelS1 to S4 (and IGCSE, A Level)
TimeAbout 35 min
You useCoulomb’s law, E = V ÷ d
PriceFree: no account
🎯 Aim
To investigate the forces between charges and the electric field of point charges and of parallel plates.
You will learn to
- Explain charging by friction (electron transfer).
- Use Coulomb’s law and the inverse-square rule.
- Draw and interpret field lines.
- Calculate E = V ÷ d and the force on a charge.
🧭 What to do
- Set charge A and charge B: look at the field lines.
- Change the distance and read the force on the graph.
- Make both charges the same sign: what changes?
- Change the voltage and separation of the plates: when does a spark jump?
- Answer the questions with the class data.
- Write your conclusion and download your lab report.
📋 The data
Two charges and a pair of plates.
🧠 Investigate: answer from the data
Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.
➕ Get more from this experiment
📝 Free
Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.
📦 Premium Lab Pack
1 000 RWF
- Practical worksheet: charging by friction with simple materials
- Coulomb’s law and field problems
- Teacher guide and answer key
- Exam-style questions with marking scheme
👩🏫 For teachers
Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.
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