Electric potential distance problem?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric potential difference when a force is applied to move a charge within an electric field. The context is centered around concepts of electric potential, work, and charge in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the relationship between force, charge, and electric potential difference. They question the formula for potential difference and express confusion about the variable 'q'. Other participants provide insights into relevant equations and clarify the meaning of voltage.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the relationships between work, charge, and potential difference. Some have provided guidance on relevant equations, while others are clarifying definitions and units. There is an ongoing exploration of the necessary conversions and calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the original poster's frustration with instructional materials and a lack of clarity regarding the charge unit conversion from microcoulombs to coulombs. The discussion reflects uncertainty about the correct application of formulas and the definitions involved.

virtuoso_735
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Hi everyone I need very badly some help with this problem please:

A force of 0.053 N is required to move a charge of 39 µC a distance of 30 cm in an electric field. What is the size of the electric potential difference between the two points?


Is the electric potential difference the force divided by q (whatever that is) divided by distance? That's what someone told me. I can't find q though. Is that even the right way to to it?

I'm not really sure how to do this at all. I tried to do it for more than an hour yesterday but my teacher is TERRIBLE and I don't get it. The book doesn't really help either. Can someone solve it and guide me through it?

Thanks a whole lot!
 
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virtuoso_735 said:
Hi everyone I need very badly some help with this problem please:

A force of 0.053 N is required to move a charge of 39 µC a distance of 30 cm in an electric field. What is the size of the electric potential difference between the two points?


Is the electric potential difference the force divided by q (whatever that is) divided by distance? That's what someone told me. I can't find q though. Is that even the right way to to it?

I'm not really sure how to do this at all. I tried to do it for more than an hour yesterday but my teacher is TERRIBLE and I don't get it. The book doesn't really help either. Can someone solve it and guide me through it?

Thanks a whole lot!

There are a few relationships involving voltage (or potential difference) V. The one you need here is [tex]W = QV[/tex] where V is the potential difference, Q is the charge and W is work done. W is the work required to move a charge Q against a potential difference of V.

Now, use another relationship that you should know between work, force and distance to form an equation and solve for V.
 
You should probably like to know the actual meaning of voltage. I personally like sentences.

Voltage is the potential energy difference, per unit charge.
 
Sorry, sorry, sorry. I misread xXPhoenixFireXx's post. I missed the word "energy" in it, I thought he said "potential difference per unit charge" (which would be wrong). My apologies. I've deleted my post.
 
Last edited:
haha hate it when that happens. I may as well delete mine as well 'cause I don't want to detract from the the purpose of the thread.
 
Curious3141 said:
There are a few relationships involving voltage (or potential difference) V. The one you need here is [tex]W = QV[/tex] where V is the potential difference, Q is the charge and W is work done. W is the work required to move a charge Q against a potential difference of V.

Now, use another relationship that you should know between work, force and distance to form an equation and solve for V.

Okay thanks.

So exactly is q though? I'm confused. Is it 32 in the problem above or do I need to solve for it? If so what equation do I use?
 
The charge Q is the 39 micro Coulombs that was given in the question
 
Thanks. Do I need to conver it?
 
virtuoso_735 said:
Thanks. Do I need to conver it?

Yes, you should convert it to Coulombs.

~H
 

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