The discussion addresses the selection of reference points for setting electric potential to zero in electrostatics. It emphasizes that the choice is arbitrary and typically made at infinity or at the origin, depending on the charge configuration. For infinite charged objects, such as an infinite plane, the potential does not diminish at infinity, making it practical to assign zero potential at the location of the charged object instead. The key takeaway is that the reference point for electric potential is chosen to simplify calculations and is not inherently defined by the physical properties of the system.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding electrostatics and electric potential calculations.
With respect, the only reason for potential being zero at any point is because you've chosen it to be so. Specifically, you choose the arbitrary constant when you integrate the field strength due to the charge configuration in such a way as to make the potential zero at a point of your choice. Choosing that point to be a very way from your charge configuration ('at infinity') makes formulae for potential easier than otherwise.aftershock said:You generally pick a point where the potential is zero.