How does the Electric Potential change when -q goes to -2q?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on understanding how electric potential changes when a negative charge of -q is replaced by -2q. A positive charge +q is located at x=+a, while the negative charge is at x=-a, and the goal is to find the potential along the y-axis. Electric potential is a scalar quantity, meaning it has no direction, and the total potential from multiple charges is simply the sum of the potentials from each charge. The original poster notes that if the charge were -q instead of -2q, the potential would be zero, indicating a need for clarity on the impact of the charge's magnitude. The conversation emphasizes the straightforward nature of calculating electric potential from multiple sources.
durhamisnuts
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Homework Statement



Imagine that a particle with positive charge +q is placed on the x-axis at x=+a and a particle with negative charge -2q is placed on the x-axis at x= -a. Find the potential at all points along the y axis.



Homework Equations



delta phi = -E dot dr

The Attempt at a Solution



This isn't a homework problem, it's just a problem in the book I'm working on to get a better understanding of electric potential. I was wondering if someone could explain electric potential to me, and i figured the easiest way would be with a problem. The answer is given in terms of k, q, a, and y.

I know that had the it been -q instead of -2q the answer would be zero, but I am not sure how the physics works when it is -2.
 
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welcome to pf!

hi durhamisnuts! welcome to pf! :wink:

potential is a scalar

(unlike electric field, which is a vector)

ie, it's just a number, it has no direction …

so to get the potential from two or more sources, you find the potential from each, and add them …

it's that easy! :smile:​
 

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