Electric potential between two point charges

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on determining how the electric potential between two point charges changes when their separation is reduced by a factor of 3/2. Participants express uncertainty about the relevant formulas, particularly the relationship between electric potential and distance, referencing Coulomb's Law. There is confusion regarding whether the electric field strength remains constant with changing distance. Suggestions are made to explore the potential derived from the electric field. The conversation highlights the need for clarity on the principles governing electric potential and distance in electrostatics.
drawar
Messages
130
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Two point charges are separated by a distance r. If the separation is reduced by a factor of 3/2, by what factor does the electric potential between them change?
A. 3/2
B. 2/3
C. 9/4
D. 4/9
E. Sqrt(3/2)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Honestly I couldn't think of any formula involving separation of 2 point charges and the electric potential between them. Reading a little more on electric potential, I find that U=Ed but then I'm not sure whether the strength of the electric field remain constant when we change the distance between two point charges.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hi drawar! :smile:
drawar said:
Honestly I couldn't think of any formula involving separation of 2 point charges and the electric potential between them.

coulomb's law? :wink:
 
tiny-tim said:
hi drawar! :smile:


coulomb's law? :wink:

Hi there!
I've just gone over it and still can't figure it out. Does the Coulomb's Law have anything to do with the electric potential?
 
indirectly …

can't you find the potential from the field? :smile:​
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Electric Potential Energy of Point Charge Systems
Replies
2
Views
880
Potential and Electric Field near a Charged CD Disk
Replies
2
Views
2K
Work done to insert a point charge 𝑞 at the center of a conducting sphere
Replies
12
Views
1K
Charge on a grounded conducting sphere in a uniform electric field, after ungrounding and movement
Replies
1
Views
1K
Van der Graaf Generator: Charge, Potential and Redesign Questions
Replies
8
Views
2K
Can a dipole be modeled as a point charge?
Replies
10
Views
459
Two different dielectrics between parallel-plate capacitor
Replies
6
Views
2K
Find the electric field of a long line charge at a radial distance
Replies
1
Views
2K
Potential difference between two points in an electric field
Replies
1
Views
2K
Electrostatics help please -- Electric field, potential
Replies
5
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top