Electric potential question

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of electric potential between two positive point charges. The potential is highest at some point along the line between the charges and decreases as one gets closer to each charge. The potential near the charges is described as "blowing up" and there is a saddle point on the line segment between the charges. The conversation also mentions a minimum between the two charges and confirms that the potential will never be zero due to the positive contributions from both charges.
  • #1
curiousjoe94
21
0
Say you have two point charges, both are positive. Would I be correct in thinking that electric potential (V) would be highest at some point along the line between those two point charges, and then decrease as we get closer to each of the charges?
 
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  • #2
Potential blows up near charges (upside-down funnels glued together). There is a saddle point on the line segment between the charges (where the glue is), perhaps that was the point you were thinking of. If we are constrained to the line segment connecting the two charges, then there is a minimum in between, and it increases as you move closer to either of the charges.
 
  • #3
No. Look at the formula for the potential due to a point charge. What happens to the potential as the distance from the charge approaches 0?
 
  • #4
algebrat said:
Potential blows up near charges (upside-down funnels glued together). There is a saddle point on the line segment between the charges (where the glue is), perhaps that was the point you were thinking of. If we are constrained to the line segment connecting the two charges, then there is a minimum in between, and it increases as you move closer to either of the charges.

I get it now. You say there's a minimum between the two charges, would it correct to assume this would never be zero?
 
  • #5
curiousjoe94 said:
I get it now. You say there's a minimum between the two charges, would it correct to assume this would never be zero?

Yes, since both contributions to the potential are positive, kq/|r|+kq/|r|
 

1. What is electric potential?

Electric potential is a measure of the electric potential energy per unit charge at a given point in an electric field. It is also known as voltage and is measured in volts (V).

2. How is electric potential different from electric field?

Electric potential is a scalar quantity that describes the energy of a charged particle at a given point, while electric field is a vector quantity that describes the force experienced by a charged particle at a given point.

3. What is the formula for electric potential?

The formula for electric potential is V = kq/r, where V is the electric potential, k is Coulomb's constant (9x10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q is the charge of the particle, and r is the distance from the particle to the point where potential is being measured.

4. How is electric potential measured?

Electric potential is typically measured using a voltmeter, which measures the potential difference between two points in an electric field. The unit of measurement is volts (V).

5. What factors affect electric potential?

The factors that affect electric potential include the amount of charge present, the distance from the source of the electric field, and the medium in which the electric field exists. Additionally, the presence of other charges can also affect the electric potential at a given point.

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