Electric Potential & Electric Field

In summary, the conversation is about finding the electric potential and electric field at point P, which is located at x=1 distance from three positive charges on the x-axis: q1=15 μC at the origin, q2=-30 μC at x=2m, and q3=15 μC at x=3m. The suggested solution is attached and the person asking the question is confused about why q1 is counted in both answers and why the corresponding distance (r) is 1. The person who provided the solution explains that the point P is at x=1 distance, making the equations consistent. They also ask for future solutions to be written in LaTeX for easier readability.
  • #1
scrubber
20
0

Homework Statement



Three positive charges lie on the x-axis; q1 = 15 μC is at the origin, q2 = -30 μC is at x = 2 m, and q3 = 15 μC is a x = 3 m. ( please also refer to the attachment.)
Find the electric potential and electric field at point “P” aroused from q1, q2 and q3.

The Attempt at a Solution



The suggested answer is attached.
But I don't understand why q1 is also counted in both answers, and why the corresponding distance(r) is 1.

So weird to me... please help!
 

Attachments

  • physsampleexamq4.PNG
    physsampleexamq4.PNG
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  • physsampleexamq4b.PNG
    physsampleexamq4b.PNG
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  • #2
From the solution given , it seems that the point [itex]P[/itex] is at [itex]x=1[/itex] distance , that would make the eqns
consistent.

P.S Please write the solutions and/or any other equations in your post preferably using LaTeX as it can be difficult to read equations from the image and/or quoting them.
 
  • #3
amind said:
From the solution given , it seems that the point [itex]P[/itex] is at [itex]x=1[/itex] distance , that would make the eqns
consistent.

P.S Please write the solutions and/or any other equations in your post preferably using LaTeX as it can be difficult to read equations from the image and/or quoting them.

great! I understand now! Sorry for the inconvenience. I will type them out next time. Thanks for your help :D
 

1. What is the difference between electric potential and electric field?

Electric potential is a measure of the potential energy per unit charge at a particular point in an electric field. It is a scalar quantity and is measured in volts (V). Electric field, on the other hand, is a vector quantity that describes the direction and strength of the force experienced by a charge in an electric field. It is measured in newtons per coulomb (N/C).

2. How are electric potential and electric field related?

Electric potential and electric field are closely related. The electric field is the negative gradient of electric potential, meaning that it is the rate of change of electric potential with respect to distance. In other words, electric field is the force per unit charge, while electric potential is the work done per unit charge.

3. What is the unit of electric potential?

The unit of electric potential is the volt (V), which is equivalent to one joule per coulomb (J/C). It is named after Italian physicist Alessandro Volta.

4. How do we calculate electric potential?

Electric potential is calculated by dividing the work done by the charge moving through an electric field by the amount of charge. Mathematically, it can be expressed as V = W/q, where V is electric potential, W is work, and q is charge.

5. How does distance affect electric potential and electric field?

As distance increases, both electric potential and electric field decrease. This is because the force of the electric field decreases with distance, resulting in a decrease in electric potential. Additionally, electric potential and electric field are inversely proportional to distance, meaning that as distance increases, electric potential decreases at a faster rate than electric field.

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