Electric Potential V at Point P: Multiple Choice

[srhly]

Can anybody help me on this question, I'm stuck. I have a picture attached for clarification.

Consider two concentric spherical conducting shells. O is at the center of the shells. THe inner shell has radius a and charge q1 on it, while the outer shell has radius b=3a and charge q2 on it. Find the electric potential at point p, where p is in between the two shells and OP= 2a.

Which represents the electric potential V at point p?
1. V = 0
2. V = infinity
4. V = K[(q1/2a)+(q2/3a)]
5. V = K(q1+q2)/3a
6. V = K(q1/a + q2/3a)

I have already found that answer 3 was wrong so I didn't include it.

 

[quasar987]

Potential are "linear", i.e. V at p = V cause by q1 + V cause by q2.

 

[quicknote]

I can provide a response to this question by explaining the concept of electric potential and how it relates to the given scenario.

Electric potential, also known as voltage, is a measure of the electric potential energy per unit charge at a given point in an electric field. In this case, the electric potential at point P is influenced by the charges on the two concentric spherical conducting shells.

First, we need to understand that the electric potential at a point is dependent on the distance from that point to the source of the electric field. In this scenario, point P is located between the two shells, at a distance of 2a from the center O.

Next, we can use the formula for electric potential at a point due to a point charge, which is V = kq/r, where k is the Coulomb's constant, q is the charge on the source, and r is the distance from the source to the point.

Applying this formula to the given scenario, we can see that the electric potential at point P is influenced by the charges on both shells. The inner shell has a charge of q1 and is located at a distance of a from point P, while the outer shell has a charge of q2 and is located at a distance of 3a from point P.

Therefore, the correct answer for the electric potential at point P would be option 6, V = K(q1/a + q2/3a). This takes into account the contribution of both charges on the electric potential at point P.

In conclusion, understanding the concept of electric potential and applying the formula for electric potential at a point due to a point charge, we can determine the correct answer for the electric potential at point P in this scenario.