Is Electric Potential Highest Between Two Positive Point Charges?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the electric potential created by two positive point charges and whether it is highest at some point between them. Participants explore the behavior of electric potential in relation to distance from the charges.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of electric potential near point charges, with some suggesting that potential increases as one moves closer to the charges, while others question the behavior at specific points between the charges.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different interpretations of electric potential between the charges. Some guidance has been offered regarding the behavior of potential near the charges, and there is an ongoing examination of the minimum potential point between them.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the mathematical implications of the potential formula as distance approaches zero, and assumptions about the contributions of both charges to the overall potential are being considered.

curiousjoe94
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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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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.
 
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?
 
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?
 
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|
 

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