I wanted some clarification. I thought that the potential followsthe superpositi

Question

I wanted some clarification. I thought that the potential followsthe superposition principle. That is the the net potential will bethe potentials for each charge summed together. Then the change inpotential frome a point to another point is the potential at thefinal place minus the potential at the starting point. But someonewas explaining it to me today and know i am totally confused. Ifsomeone could answer this question i would appreciate it as i wouldlike to check my work.

Points A, B, C and D are at corners of a square of sides 12 min empty space.
Charges +5 nC and –5 nC are placed at corners A and Brespectively.
(a) What is the change in the electric potential from D to C? (Carewith sign).
(b) A third charge of +2 nC is initially at D and is then moved toC. What is the
change in the potential energy of the system? (Care with sign.)

Explanation / Answer

let side of square be a the potenial is given by: V = q/4r so net potenial at point C due to charge on A and B is Va + Vb = 5/42a + -5/4a and net potenial at point D is = Va + Vb = 5/4a - 5/42a so change in potenial is given by: Vc - Vd 5/42a + -5/4a -(5/4a - 5/42a) => 2(5/42a + -5/4a) here a = 12m (put the value and get the answer) (Ans) 2).when the charge is at D the potenial energy of syatem = Vab + Vad + Vdb = 5*-5/4a + 5*2/4a +2*-5/42a and when charge is at C potenial energy of syatem = = Vab + Vac + Vbc = 5*-5/4a + 2*5/42a -5*2/4a so net change in potenial energy is give by: Vc - Vd 5*-5/4a + 2*5/42a -5*2/4a -(5*-5/4a + 5*2/4a +2*-5/42a) => 2(2*5/42a - 5*2/4a) (ans) here a = 12m put the vaue to get the answer.

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