Electric Potential in a Region: Is it Zero or Nonzero?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the relationship between electric potential and electric field in a given region. It is established that if the electric potential is constant throughout a region, then the electric field must be zero in that region. Initially, there was confusion about whether the electric field could be zero or nonzero, but it was clarified that a constant potential indicates no electric field exists. The conclusion drawn is that a uniform electric potential implies the absence of an electric field. Understanding this relationship is crucial for accurately interpreting electric potential scenarios.
GreenDinos
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The potential is constant throughout a given region of space. Which of the following statements is true? Be sure you can justify your answer.

The electric field may have places where it is zero, and places where it is nonzero in this region.
The electric field is nonzero in this region.
The electric field is zero in this region.
The electric field may be zero or nonzero everywhere in this region.

Ok- so at first i thought the answer was that it was zero or nonzero everywhere since you can decide what to make the starting potential- since the electrical potential is just the difference. But this answer turned out to be wrong... now I'm thinking that the electric field is zero in the region since it is constant...?
 
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nevermind- i got it
 
If the potential is the same everywhere, then there can no field.

- Warren
 
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