What are the correct answers to this Equipotential Contours Homework statement?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem related to equipotential contours and the associated potential energy of charged particles. Participants are analyzing the correctness of their answers regarding the signs and magnitudes of charges in relation to electric potential.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to justify their answers based on the relationship between potential energy and electric potential. Questions arise regarding the signs of charges and the implications of their positions relative to equipotential lines.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on each other's reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of charge signs and their impact on the answers provided. There is an acknowledgment of uncertainty, with suggestions to seek further opinions.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can share. There is a focus on clarifying assumptions related to the signs and magnitudes of charges in the context of the problem.

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Homework Statement



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2. Relevant thoughts

Here, I numbered them down and put why I though those answers were what I have above

1- since 0V, its PE is zero
2- Closest contour lines, largest charge
3- Q1 is farther back from 0v, making it the largest negative
4- above 0V so it has a positive PE
5- Past 0V so its a positive charge
6- I has a higher electrical potential since its closer tot he positive charge

The Attempt at a Solution



You can see my attempt above...im really not sure at all what one is wrong, and why?

Homework Statement


2. NOT correct

T
F
T
T
T
F
--------

T
T
F
T
T
F
--------

T
F
F
T
T
F

The Attempt at a Solution

 
Last edited:
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State why you gave the answers that you did so we can help you.
 
SammyS said:
State why you gave the answers that you did so we can help you.

Wrote them above.
 
You say #2 is the largest magnitude charge, which ignores signs. This part looks right. But another one is not. Look at the sign of q2 again...
 
MrNerd said:
You say #2 is the largest magnitude charge, which ignores signs. This part looks right. But another one is not. Look at the sign of q2 again...

even if number three was true, its still not all right?
 
badd99 said:
even if number three was true, its still not all right?

It looks like it should be. I don't see any errors that stick out at the moment. If you want to be really sure, you could wait for some other people to give their opinion.
 
I know its not right because with it marked true, it was my very first response (the above answers with 3 being true.) I thought that was right to begin with but its not.
 
How is the potential energy of a charged particle related to the particle's charge and the electric potential at the particle's location?

Which number is lower, 2 or 3 ?
 
SOLVED! Thanks!
 

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