How Do You Calculate the Electric Potential at Point X Relative to Point Y?

[phm]

Homework Statement

Point X is 0.25m away from a point charge of +4.7 X 10^-8C, point Y is 0.65m away. What is the potential of point X with respect to point Y?

Homework Equations

V= kQ/d

The Attempt at a Solution

I was able to find the potential of X using V=kQ/d with respect to the point charge, which equals 1.7 X 10³ V, but I'm not sure as to how to find it with respect to the Y point.

 

[tiny-tim]

Welcome to PF!

Hi phm! Welcome to PF!

… I was able to find the potential of X using V=kQ/d with respect to the point charge, which equals 1.7 X 10³ V, but I'm not sure as to how to find it with respect to the Y point.

The whole point of having potentials is that they don't depend on path (so they are only defined for conservative forces) …

so the potentials just add and subtract as ordinary scalars (ordinary numbers) …

just like gravitational potential energy!