The electric field in a region is given by where the units are in V/m. What is the potential from the origin to (x, y) = (2, 0) m?

Question

The electric field in a region is given by  where the units are in V/m. What is the potential from the origin to (x, y) = (2, 0) m?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the potential, we need to integrate the electric field:
V = -∫E•ds, where s is the path from the origin to (2,0).
Let's choose a straight line path along the x-axis, so ds = dx and we have:
V = -∫E•ds = -∫11x dx = -[11x^2/2]_0^2 = -22/2 = -11 V
Note that we have to put a negative sign because the electric field points in the positive x-direction and we are moving in the negative x-direction to get from the origin to (2,0).
Therefore, the answer is C) -16/3 V, which is the potential difference between the origin and (2,0).

The Electric Field in a Region Is Given by