Mapping of equipotential surfaces using the free Quantum Geographic Information System software

Abstract In this work, we report the mapping of electrical equipotential lines (1D) and equipotential surfaces (3D) using the free Quantum Geographic information system (QGIS) software. For this purpose, experiments taking into account, four different electrical configurations were performed on physics classes of undergraduate students, using two conductors of opposite electrical charges for each experiment. For the first experiment two copper parallel linear conductors; for the second, a copper parallel linear conductor with a small circular ring acting as a point charge; for the third, two concentric circular ring and for the fourth one a semicircular ring with a small circular ring acting as point charge. The experimental data were treated and interpolated in the, open source, QGIS software, used in geoprocessing, to map the electrical equipotential planes and surfaces.