Electric field and potential at a point

In summary, the statement "If electric potential at a point is zero, then the electric field at that point is zero" is false. This is because there are examples, such as a perfect conductor, where the electric potential is zero but the electric field is not. The correct answer is false.
  • #1
Amith2006
427
2
1)Say whether true or false:
If electric potential at a point is zero, then the electric field at that point is zero.

I think the answer is false because the electric potential due to a dipole at a point on its perpendicular bisector is zero but the field is not zero. Is it right?
 
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  • #2
Yes. There are tons of examples - take a perfect conductor for instance. Inside the conductor there is no electric charge and no field. But the potential is not zero at all. So False.
 
  • #3
Thanks for the guidance.
 
  • #4
HalfManHalfAmazing said:
take a perfect conductor for instance. Inside the conductor there is no electric charge and no field. But the potential is not zero at all.
That is not an appropriate example. The question asks if the field is zero when the potential is zero, not the other way.

But 'False' is still the correct answer to the question. :)
 

FAQ: Electric field and potential at a point

1. What is an electric field and how is it measured?

An electric field is a physical quantity that describes the strength and direction of the force exerted on a charged particle at a given point. It is measured in units of newtons per coulomb (N/C) and can be determined by dividing the force exerted on a test charge by the magnitude of the charge.

2. How is the electric potential at a point related to the electric field?

The electric potential at a point is a measure of the amount of electric potential energy that a unit of charge would have if placed at that point. It is directly related to the electric field through the equation V = Ed, where V is the potential, E is the electric field, and d is the distance between the point and the reference point.

3. What factors affect the strength of the electric field at a point?

The strength of the electric field at a point is affected by the magnitude and direction of the charge that is creating the field, as well as the distance between the point and the charge. The electric field also depends on the medium in which the charge is located, with different materials having different dielectric constants that affect the strength of the field.

4. How does the direction of the electric field affect the movement of charged particles?

The direction of the electric field determines the direction of the force exerted on a charged particle. If the electric field is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the particle, it will change the direction of the particle's motion. If the electric field is parallel to the direction of motion, it will speed up or slow down the particle depending on the sign of the charge.

5. Can the electric potential at a point be negative?

Yes, the electric potential at a point can be negative. This indicates that the potential energy of a charged particle at that point is negative and would decrease if it were to move towards the point. In contrast, a positive electric potential indicates that the potential energy of a charged particle would increase if it were to move towards the point.

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