Analysis of the Different Fork Arrangements:

-V/X For Small Opening

0 0 -5 V -10 -15 -20 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

x (cm)

-V/X Large Opening

0 -2 0 -4 -6 -8 V -10 -12 -14 -16 -18 -20 x (cm) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

It is immediately apparent from graphical analysis that the arrangement with the closed forks that there is a shielding effect that creates a more or less uniform electric field (along the axis) within the forks when compared to field within the large opening fork. Although the field is maintained to some degree within the open fork configuration, there is a marginal decrease inside the fork compared to outside the fork.

Closed Fork versus Open Fork The closed fork sheet is positively charged while the fork negatively charged with a voltage drop of 20 volts between the ends of the sheets. Immediately near the point like element the electric behaves as we expect like 1/r2. However as we approach the fork, the shielding effects of the closed fork begins to alter the field. Based on the electric field lines as the enter the closed forked region, the lines reverse back onto the closed forked portion of the conductor, creating the more or less uniform are of electric field inside the closed area. In contrast with the closed fork, the electric field lines in the open fork illustrate the tendency of the E lines to continue forward while converging on the sides of the conductor. While this does result in more uniform field inside the fork than outside, there is still a measurable drop once the open fork area is analyzed.

Two Plates with Insulator The theoretical expectations of an arrangements with a circular insulator situated between two conducting plates are precisely what we were generated experimentally. Closer to the ends of the conductors, we see equipotential E lines with little deflection between the negative and positive electrode. As we near the insulator, an elliptical shape can be observed as the E lines circle around the insulator at right angles to the V lines which converge on the insulator normal to the circumference of the insulator. A localized concentration of the E lines can be observed closer to the insulator signifiny localized higher electric fields.

TWO PLATES WITH A CONDUCTOR As with each case, the voltage drop between the conductors is again roughly 20 volts. The addition of the circular conductor results in a voltage of 9.8 volts. As we dealing with a conductor, the field inside the conductor is zero with all of its charge accumulated at the surface. The new configuration results are the exact opposite as the insulator, with the E lines converging normal to the circumference of the insulator, while the v lines pass elliptically around the conductor. We can also observe localized electric field increases ninety degrees rotated from the increased fields with the insulator arrangements. The entire observation is rotaed ninety degrees from the insulator arrangement.

TWO CONDUCTING ELECTRODES In the absence of asymmetry, conductors, or insulators, the V lines and E lines are straight and perpendicular to one another at every point between the positive and negative electrode. This condition implies a constant electric field everywhere between the plates if not very close to the sides of charged sheet.

CONCLUSION The most notable source of error in this experiment was the nature with which the E lines where established. As the angles and paths were approximated, the results were useful but certainly imperfect. Despite this approximation, a set of logical expectations were confirmed fully the experimental results both graphically and illustratively.