Potential Due to a Collection Charges

[simo]

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.

 

[Doc Al]

potential is a scalar

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

r_1 & r_2 are the distances from each charge. (Direction is not relevant, only distance from each charge.)

 

[simo]

Woops, I didn't read the forum rules. I appreciate your help Doc Al. This won't happen again.