Improving the Reliability of Physics Laboratory Experiment on Electric Field and Potential Measurements with Parallel Plates and Coaxial Cable Patterns

This study focuses on enhancing the reliability of physics laboratory experiments that measure electric field and electric potential difference in configurations involving parallel plates and coaxial cable patterns. Reliable lab measurements that are reproducible is essential for students to strengthen their understanding of electrostatic principles and the associated laboratory demonstration of these principles. However, the conventional laboratory design on this experiment using conductive silver ink applied on a black conductive paper has multiple issues so that the experiment is often time-consuming and produces misleading and unreliable results—irritating both instructors and students and even making students doubt these principles of physics. We would like to share an enhanced design using metallic elements to replace conductive silver ink. The design not only simplifies the experimental setup and produces more reliable measurement results, but also makes this laboratory experiment an overall more enjoyable experience for the students.