Four point charges of magnitude $6.00 \mu \mathrm { C }$ and are at the corners of a square $2.00 \mathrm {~m}$ on each side. Two of the charges are positive, and two are negative. What is the electric potential at the center of this square, relative to infinity, due to these charges? $\left( k = 1 / 4 \pi \varepsilon _ { 0 } = 8.99 \times 10 ^ { 9 } \mathrm {~N} \cdot \mathrm { m } ^ { 2 } / \mathrm { C } ^ { 2 } \right)$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electric potential due to a point charge is given by $V = k \frac{q}{r}$, where $V$ is the potential, $k$ is Coulomb's constant, $q$ is the charge, and $r$ is the distance from the charge to the point of interest. In this case, the center of the square is equidistant from all four charges. The contributions to the electric potential from the two positive charges are exactly canceled out by the contributions from the two negative charges, because electric potential is a scalar quantity and does not depend on direction. Therefore, the net electric potential at the center of the square is 0 V.

Four Point Charges of Magnitude 6.00μC6.00 \mu \mathrm { C }6.00μC

Four Point Charges of Magnitude $6.00 \mu \mathrm { C }$