Question

In: Physics

Rank the locations A to F on the basis of the electric potential at each point.

In the figure there are two point charges, \(+q\) and \(-q\). There are also six positions, labeled A through \(\mathrm{F}\), at various distances from the two point charges. You will be asked about the electric potential at the different points (A through F).

A.) Rank the locations A to \(\mathrm{F}\) on the basis of the electric potential at each point. Rank positive electric potentials as higher than negative electric potentials.

For Part A.) Rank the locations from highest to lowest potential. To rank items as equivalent, overlap them.

Solutions

Expert Solution

Concept and reason

The potential at any point due to a point charge can be calculated using the relationship between potential, charge, and the distance between charge and the point at which the potential needs to be calculated.

Fundamentals

The potential \(\mathrm{V}\) due to a charge q at distance \(\mathrm{r}\) from the charge is given as follows:

\(V=\frac{k q}{r}\)

Here, \(\mathrm{k}\) is the Coulomb's constant. The potential is positive for a positive charge and negative for a negative charge. The potential is large at a point close to the charge because the potential is inversely proportional to the distance between the charge and the point at which potential needs to be calculated.

 

At points \(\mathrm{B}\) and \(\mathrm{E}\) the potential is higher than all the points. But the potential at point \(\mathrm{B}\) is positive, and the potential at point \(E\) is negative.

The potential at point \(\mathrm{B}\) is higher and positive because point \(\mathrm{B}\) is close to the positive charge. The potential at point \(\mathrm{E}\) is higher and negative because point \(E\) is close to negative charge.

 

The potential at point \(C\) and \(D\) is zero. Because both points \(C\) and \(D\) are at equidistant to the charges \(+q\) and \(-q\).

The points \(C\) and \(D\) are equidistant to both charges \(+q\) and \(-q\). Thus, the potential due to positive charge will cancel with potential due to negative charge at points \(\mathrm{C}\) and \(\mathrm{D}\).

 

The electric potential at points \(\mathrm{A}\) and \(\mathrm{F}\) is same. But at point \(\mathrm{A}\) the electric potential is positive, and at point \(\mathrm{F}\) the electric potential is negative. The electric potential at point \(\mathrm{A}\) is smaller than that of electric potential at point \(\mathrm{B}\) because point \(\mathrm{B}\) is closer to positive charge than point \(\mathrm{A}\). From step (1), step (2), and step (3), the ranking of points from highest potential to lowest potential is \(B>A>C=D>F>E\)

Part a The ranking from highest to lowest potential is \(B>A>C=D>F>E\).

The electric potential at point \(\mathrm{A}\) is positive because point \(\mathrm{A}\) is close to the positive charge, and the electric potential at point \(\mathrm{F}\) is negative because point \(\mathrm{F}\) is close to negative charge.

Related Solutions

using the diagram to the left rank each of the given path's on the basis of the change in electric
In the diagram below, there are two charges of \(+q\) and \(^{-q}\) and six points (a through f) at various distances from the two charges. (Intro 1 figure) You will be asked to rank changes in the electric potential along paths between pairs of points. Q: Using the diagram to the left, rank each of the given path's on the basis of the change in electric potential. Rank the largest-magnitude positive change (increase in electric potential)as largest and the largest-magnitude...
Rank the six combinations of electric charges on the basis of the electric force acting on...
Rank the six combinations of electric charges on the basis of the electric force acting on q1. Define forces pointing to the right as positive and forces pointing to the left as negative. Rank positive forces as larger than negative forces.  Rank from largest to smallest, placing the largest on the left and the smallest on the right. To rank items as equivalent, overlap them.  The correct ranking cannot be determined.
Rank the six combinations of electric charges on the basis of the electric force acting on...
Rank the six combinations of electric charges on the basis of the electric force acting on q1. Define forces pointing to the right as positive and forces pointing to the left as negative. Rank positive forces as larger than negative forces.  Rank from largest to smallest, placing the largest on the left and the smallest on the right. To rank items as equivalent, overlap them.  There are two types of charge, which have opposite signs. Which type we call "positive" is...
What is the electric potential at point A in the figure?
a) What is the electric potential at point A in the figure? b)What is the potential energy of a proton at point A in the figure?
A. If the electric field E is zero at a given point, must the electric potential...
A. If the electric field E is zero at a given point, must the electric potential V also equal zero at that point? Explain your reasoning and give an example to prove your answer. B. A positive charge moves in the direction of a uniform electric field. Does its potential energy increase or decrease? Does the electric potential increase or decrease? Explain your reasoning. C. If the electric potential at some point is zero, does it follow that there are...
What is the electric potential at the point indicated with the dot in the figure?
What is the electric potential at the point indicated with the dot in the figure? Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.
What is the electric potential at the point indicated with the dot in (Figure 1)?
What is the electric potential at the point indicated with the dot in (Figure 1)? figure 1
Rank each wire system on the basis of its fundamental frequency.
A combination work of art/musical instrument is illustrated. Six pieces of identical piano wire (cut to different lengths) are hung from the same support, andmasses are hung from the free end of each wire. Each wire is 1, 2, or 3 units long, and each supports 1, 2, or 4 units of mass. The mass of each wire is negligiblecompared to the total mass hanging from it. When a strong breeze blows, the wires vibrate and create an eerie sound.Question:Rank...
Which of the following statements is incorrect? 1. The electric potential at a point due to...
Which of the following statements is incorrect? 1. The electric potential at a point due to two unlike charges can be positive. 2. The potential energy of a system consisting of two charges is always positive. 3. The potential energy increases when two like charges move closer. 4. The potential energy decreases when two unlike charges move closer. 5. The electric potential of every point on an equipotential line is always the same. 6. The equipotential lines are always perpendicular...
What is the electric potential energy? Write the relation between the electric potential and the electric...
What is the electric potential energy? Write the relation between the electric potential and the electric potential energy.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT