Earth Potential: Why Is It Considered Zero?

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SUMMARY

The electric potential of the Earth is universally considered zero due to its role as the largest charge sink for measuring voltages. All excess charges are grounded to the Earth, which maintains a neutral state as these charges dissipate back into the environment, preventing any net change in the Earth's overall charge. This convention simplifies electrical measurements and provides a consistent reference point for voltage comparisons.

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VASUbhagwat
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Why is the potential of the Earth taken as zero ? Putting the question in other words:: All earthing is done to the ground. Over the years every singe charge in excess is grounded to the earth. Even then why is it so that the potential of the Earth is considered to be zero ??
 
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VASUbhagwat said:
Why is the potential of the Earth taken as zero ?

Convenience. The Earth represents the largest charge sink we have with which to measure voltages relative to.

VASUbhagwat said:
Over the years every singe charge in excess is grounded to the earth. Even then why is it so that the potential of the Earth is considered to be zero ??

This doesn't result in a net change in the Earth's charge since any excess charge eventually bleeds back out into the environment to neutralize opposite charges elsewhere.
 

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