Electric Potential in a triangle

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SUMMARY

The electric potential at the center of an equilateral triangle with a +2 µC charge at the top and two -1 µC charges at the bottom is calculated using the formula V = kq/r. The distance from the center to each charge is 1.299 cm. It is critical to use the correct sign for the charges; the negative charges must be represented as -1 x 10^(-6) C, as their potential reduces the overall electric potential. The interaction of the charges indicates that the potential does not abruptly change when they come into contact.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric potential and the formula V = kq/r
  • Familiarity with Coulomb's law and charge interactions
  • Knowledge of equilateral triangle geometry
  • Basic skills in unit conversion (microcoulombs to coulombs)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of charge distribution in electric fields
  • Learn about superposition principle in electrostatics
  • Explore the concept of electric potential energy
  • Investigate the effects of varying charge magnitudes on electric potential
USEFUL FOR

Students studying electrostatics, physics educators, and anyone interested in understanding electric potential in multi-charge systems.

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Homework Statement



What is the electric potential at the point indicated with the dot in the figure?
The dot is in the center of an equilateral triangle with sides of 3 cm. The top point is a +2 uC charge and the bottom points are both -1 uC charges.

Homework Equations



V= kq/r

The Attempt at a Solution



I used 1.299 cm the distance from the center point to the charges. I then plugged in the values for each point and added them up. I DID however use +1 for the -1 uC charges because they add to the electric potential right?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You must use -1 x 10^(-6) for the -1 μC charge. The potential from the negative charge tends to cancel the potential from the positive charge. If you imagine the + and - charges slowly moving toward each other, the potential will not change suddenly when the charges contact and cancel each other out.
 

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