Coulomb's Constant

Mantejveer Singh
Physics 12
May 15, 2023
What is the value of Coulomb’s constant?
Introduction:
A constant of proportionality is a fixed number that represents the ratio between two
directly or inversely related quantities.1 For example, let’s say that that y is directly proportional
to x; then there must a ‘c’ for which y is the product of c and x.
Mathematically, If y ∝ x
Then, y = cx (where ‘c’ is the constant of proportionality)
According to Coulomb’s law, the Electrostatic force between two charged particles
depends directly on the product of charges which cause the force and inversely on the square of
distance that separates them. Since there is a relationship between both of the particles, there
will be a constant of proportionality; in this case, it is the coulomb’s constant, which is also
known as electrostatic/dielectric constant ‘k’.
FE ∝ Q1Q2 (where Q1 and Q2 are the charges that cause the electrostatic force, in Coulombs)
FE ∝ 1/d2 (where d is the distance of separation between both of the charges, in Meters)
(FE is the Electrostatic force, in Newtons)
In mathematical terms, Coulomb’s law is:
𝑄1 𝑄2
𝐹𝐸 = 𝑘
𝑑2
Rearranging the terms of Coulomb’s law, k is a product of electrostatic force and squared of
distance divided by the product of charges. Analyzing units of each of these quantities, the SI
unit of k is determined to be N*m2/C2.
Mantejveer Singh
Physics 12
May 15, 2023
As per research, Coulomb’s law has a lot of applications in day-to-day life. It is used in
Xerox machines, laser printers, powder coating and many more2. Other than that, there are also
other values such as Electric field, Potential energy in a charged particle, and Electric potential,
which have many practical applications, and calculation of such quantities is not possible
without knowing the value of coulomb’s constant ‘k’. Therefore, it is very important to
determine the value of coulomb’s constant. Also, there is an accepted value of Coulomb’s
constant in vacuum, which is 8.99 × 109 N*m2/C2.
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the value of coulomb’s constant
through data collection and analysis. To analyze its value, formula for Electric potential was
used, which is:
𝑄
𝑉=𝑘
𝑑
where V is electric potential (volts), Q is the source charge (coulombs), d is the distance of
separation (meters), and k is the proportionality constant.
Methods and Materials:
The "Charges and Fields" simulation developed by PhET Interactive Simulations3 was
utilized for this laboratory experiment. The simulation provides a virtual environment to explore
electric charges, fields, and potential. This was done to make sure that the results are as
accurate as possible. The default setup of the simulation can be seen in figure 1. This simulation
was used since it is user-friendly, reliable and provides materials such as equipotential device
and a measuring tape.
Mantejveer Singh
Physics 12
May 15, 2023
Figure 1. Default screen of the simulation
To begin with the experiment, a 1µc positive source charge is dragged from the box at
the bottom of the simulation and placed near the center of the simulation screen as the central
source of electric field. The experimental setup can be seen in figure 2. The position of the
source charge was kept constant during the entire experiment, and none other charge was
Figure 2. A 1µc positive charge emitting an electric field (yellow arrow points toolbox)
used. Next, the measuring tape is dragged from the toolbox at the right of the simulation, as
shown in figure 2. The measuring tape had two cross signs. The cross sign on the edge of the
measuring tape was placed on the center of the source charge, as shown in figure 3. Further,
Mantejveer Singh
Physics 12
May 15, 2023
Figure 3. The red cross of measuring tape placed on the centre of the source charge
the second cross was extended such that it was 40.3 cm away from the source charge, as shown
in figure 4. Next, the equipotential device was grabbed from the same box which had the
Figure 4.
measuring tape, and its center (the intersection of white lines) was placed exactly over the
second cross, as shown in figure 5. The equipotential device provided electric potential at a
certain point in the simulation. After the setup was done, distance of separation (provided by
the measuring tape) and electric potential (provided by the equipotential device) was recorded.
This process was repeated 9 more times with different radii and both, the radius and electric
potential, at each point was recorded.
Mantejveer Singh
Physics 12
May 15, 2023
Figure 5. A setup to record electric potential with respect to radius
To analyse the information recorded, Quick Graph 5.0 was used to plot the data
recorded. The radius was decided to be the independent variable, and plotted on x-axis,
whereas the electric potential was the dependent variable, and therefore plotted on the y-axis.
The units for radii were converted from centimeters to meters. A visual representation of the
table of values can be seen in figure 6.
Figure 6. Visual representation of table of values

Mantejveer Singh
Physics 12
May 15, 2023
References
1. Unknown Author, Constant of Proportionality. https://www.cuemath.com/commercial-

math/constant-of-proportionality/ (Accessed 18 May 2023).
2. Unknown Author, 8 Coulomb’s Law Examples in Daily Life. https://studiousguy.com/coulombs-law-

examples/ (Accessed 18 May 2023).
3. PhET Simulations, Charges and Fields. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/charges-and-fields

(Accessed 18 May 2023).

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Mantejveer Singh

What is the value of Coulomb’s constant?

Then, y = cx (where ‘c’ is the constant of proportionality)

(FE is the Electrostatic force, in Newtons)

In mathematical terms, Coulomb’s law is:

Methods and Materials:

Figure 1. Default screen of the simulation

Figure 5. A setup to record electric potential with respect to radius

Figure 6. Visual representation of table of values

1. Unknown Author, Constant of Proportionality. https://www.cuemath.com/commercial-

2. Unknown Author, 8 Coulomb’s Law Examples in Daily Life. https://studiousguy.com/coulombs-law-

3. PhET Simulations, Charges and Fields. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/charges-and-fields

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