Electric field mapping for cost-effective gel electrophoresis applications

Abstract

In this experiment, we tested the functionality of a low-cost electrophoresis rig by utilizing two electrodes, a battery, and a voltmeter, to map the electric field and equipotential lines formed by a positive and negative charge placed in the rig. After placing a positive charge on the origin and a negative charge on the positive y-axis of the coordinate system in the electrophoresis rig (saltwater tub), we took voltage measurements across various chosen points in the container. Using these measurements, we drew the equipotential lines by identifying regions of equal voltage and then calculated/drew electric field lines. We hypothesized that equipotential lines would have a higher concentration closer to the origin, the voltage would be high near the positive charge and decrease as we move away and toward the ground, and the electric field would point away from the positive charge and toward the ground. Ultimately, our results aligned with our hypotheses, demonstrating the viability of this rig as an educational tool for biology students to use in an electrophoresis lab.