Analogical simulation of electrostatic configurations in a resistor lattice

Abstract

The study of equipotential surfaces is a common experiment in the undergraduate Physics courses, it acts as an articulating element of the teaching and learning process of fundamental concepts of classical electromagnetism, such as the electric field and potential. However, its traditional execution method presents some technical difficulties that makes this experimental practice discouraging for the students, disfavoring the meaningful learning of these concepts. In this context, we propose a re-reading of this experiment, in which a resistors lattice is used as an analogical simulation of an electrically homogeneous environment. The experimental results obtained are fully satisfactory with respect to the simulation of basic electrostatic configurations, such as point charges or charged parallel flat conducting surfaces, allowing, even, to explore subjects that are not approached in the traditional experiment, like the configuration of lightning rods.

Keywords

• superfícies equipotenciais
• malha de resistores
• simulação analógica
• para-raios.