Potential Due to a Collection Charges

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter simo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Charges Potential
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The potential due to a collection of charges is calculated using the formula \( \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \sum \frac{q}{r} \), where \( r \) represents the distance from each charge. It is established that only the magnitude of the distance \( r \) is relevant in this calculation, as potential is a scalar quantity and does not depend on the direction of the charges. Therefore, when determining the potential between two charges, one must use the absolute values of \( r_1 \) and \( r_2 \), which are the distances from each charge to the field point.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics and Coulomb's law
  • Familiarity with the concept of electric potential
  • Knowledge of scalar quantities in physics
  • Basic mathematical skills for manipulating formulas
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the electric potential formula in electrostatics
  • Learn about the principles of superposition in electric fields
  • Explore the differences between scalar and vector quantities in physics
  • Investigate applications of electric potential in real-world scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching electrostatics, and professionals in fields related to electrical engineering or physics who seek to deepen their understanding of electric potential and charge interactions.

simo
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
My text reads for Potential Due to a Collection Charges:

1/(4πє) ∑ q/r

Lets say you want to calculate the potential between two charges. Do you take the magnitude of the distance (r) or do you account for their direction of the charges with respect to the field point.

Based on the examples I have seen, i seems like i should use the magnitude. However, it seems more logical to account for direction.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
potential is a scalar

The potential due to two charges is exactly that given by the formula you provided, thus:
[tex]\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} (\frac{q_1}{r_1} + \frac{q_2}{r_2})[/tex]

r_1 & r_2 are the distances from each charge. (Direction is not relevant, only distance from each charge.)
 
Woops, I didn't read the forum rules. I appreciate your help Doc Al. This won't happen again.
 

Similar threads

High School Some Questions about Electric Current/Capacitors to help my understanding
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Undergrad Work to move a point charge from infinity to the centre of a charge distribution
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Definition of ground potential in infinite sheet charge distributions
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Undergrad Confused about work done on charge
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Electric Potential in circuit
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Undergrad Electric field of ring at any point
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Does the Electric Field Change When One Charge Moves Relative to Another?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Electric Potential -- Is my understanding correct?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad Calculating the force on an electron from two positive point charges
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad How is Potential Difference Created across a Resistor?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K