Two equal point charges of magnitude 4.0 μC are situated along the x-axis at x₁ = -2.0 m and x₂ = 2.0 m. What is the electric potential at the origin of the xy-coordinate system?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the electric potential at the origin due to the two point charges, we use the formula:

V = kq1/r1 + kq2/r2

where k is the Coulomb constant, q1 and q2 are the magnitudes of the charges, and r1 and r2 are the distances from the charges to the origin.

Since the charges are equal and opposite, the potential due to one charge will be equal in magnitude and opposite in sign to that due to the other charge. Thus, we have:

V = kq/r1 - kq/r2

where q = 4.0 μC and r1 = 2.0 m and r2 = 2.0 m.

Plugging in the values, we get:

V = (9.0 × 10^9 N⋅m^2/C^2)(4.0 × 10^-6 C/2.0 m) - (9.0 × 10^9 N⋅m^2/C^2)(4.0 × 10^-6 C/2.0 m)

V = 36 × 10^3 V - 36 × 10^3 V

V = 0 V

Therefore, the electric potential at the origin is 0 V. So, the correct answer is choice C.

Two Equal Point Charges of Magnitude 4