- #1
oneplusone
- 127
- 2
Suppose you have a system of charges on the xy plane. Am i correct in saying that the place where you have zero volts, is the place where you can put a charge and it WONT move?
Voltage at a spot where the force on a charge is zero
In summary, the concept of voltage is similar to that of gravitational potential energy. Just like how placing a ball on a downhill slope will cause it to roll down, placing a charge in a location where the voltage is zero will not keep it from moving. Voltage is not a determining factor for a charge's movement, but rather the electric field and its direction at a given point.
- #2
tiny-tim
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 25,839
- 258
hi oneplusone! 
no
where the field is zero, it won't move (field is force per charge)
zero volts doesn't really imply anything
voltage is electric potential energy (per charge) …
like gravitational potential energy, you can choose anywhere to be zero …
and if you put something where the gravitational potential is zero, that won't stop it falling!
oneplusone said:
no
where the field is zero, it won't move (field is force per charge)
zero volts doesn't really imply anything
voltage is electric potential energy (per charge) …
like gravitational potential energy, you can choose anywhere to be zero …
and if you put something where the gravitational potential is zero, that won't stop it falling!
- #3
- 12,175
- 182
Using an example to put it another way:
Suppose you have a hill that rises above sea-level, and it is next to a valley that is below sea-level. Somewhere on that downhill slope that goes from above to below sea-level, we place a ball. The ball does not stay in place, but actually rolls down the hill.
Suppose you have a hill that rises above sea-level, and it is next to a valley that is below sea-level. Somewhere on that downhill slope that goes from above to below sea-level, we place a ball. The ball does not stay in place, but actually rolls down the hill.
1. What causes the force on a charge to be zero at a specific spot?
The force on a charge is zero at a specific spot when the electric field at that spot is zero. This can occur when there are equal and opposite charges cancelling each other out, or when the electric field lines are parallel and the charge is perpendicular to them.
2. How can you calculate the voltage at a spot where the force on a charge is zero?
The voltage at a spot where the force on a charge is zero can be calculated using the formula V = -∫E * dr, where E is the electric field and dr is the displacement vector from the reference point to the spot where the voltage is being calculated. This integral can also be simplified to V = -ΔV, where ΔV is the change in voltage from the reference point to the spot where the force is zero.
3. Is the voltage at a spot where the force on a charge is zero always zero?
No, the voltage at a spot where the force on a charge is zero is not always zero. While the electric field may be zero at that spot, the voltage can still be influenced by the electric potential of nearby charges.
4. Can the voltage at a spot where the force on a charge is zero change over time?
Yes, the voltage at a spot where the force on a charge is zero can change over time. This can happen when the charges creating the electric field are moving, when new charges are introduced, or when the distance between the charges and the spot changes.
5. How does the voltage at a spot where the force on a charge is zero affect the movement of charges?
The voltage at a spot where the force on a charge is zero does not directly affect the movement of charges. However, the electric field at that spot can determine the direction and magnitude of the force on a charge, which in turn can affect the movement of the charge.
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