Electric field in a region with constant potential

AI Thread Summary
When the electric potential is constant in a region, the electric field is indeed zero. This is derived from the relationship between electric potential and electric field, where the electric field is defined as the negative rate of change of voltage with respect to distance. If the potential does not change (delta V equals zero), the electric field must also be zero. This concept is illustrated using the example of a parallel plate capacitor, where a constant potential leads to no electric field. Thus, the conclusion is that a constant potential implies a zero electric field in that region.
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Homework Statement


When the potential is constant throughout a given region of space, is the electric field in the region also zero?


Homework Equations


in a parallel plate capacitor,
electric filed = - delta V / delta d


The Attempt at a Solution


It is difficult to understand how in a given region where the electric potential could be constant. That means at any given location, V=kq/r is the same everywhere and delta v equals zero. I can only relate this to a plate capacitor where the electric field is defined as - delta v / delta d. If delta v is zero, then E=0. Am I on the right track?
 
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zdotcom said:

Homework Statement


When the potential is constant throughout a given region of space, is the electric field in the region also zero?

Homework Equations


in a parallel plate capacitor,
electric filed = - delta V / delta d

The Attempt at a Solution


It is difficult to understand how in a given region where the electric potential could be constant. That means at any given location, V=kq/r is the same everywhere and delta v equals zero. I can only relate this to a plate capacitor where the electric field is defined as - delta v / delta d. If delta v is zero, then E=0. Am I on the right track?
yes. that equation you used comes from the calculus definition that relates electric potential and electric field.

E = -\frac{dV}{dr}

this equation simplifies to the one you wrote if the rate of change of voltage with respect to displacement is a constant.

So electric field equals the negative of the rate of change in voltage. If voltage is constant, meaning it has a rate of change of zero, electric field also is zero.
 
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