Three students discuss the potential of a single point charge. How would you ans

Question

Three students discuss the potential of a single point charge. How would you answer the questions raised by each student? Explain your reasoning ·The potential at a point depends on what the reference point is, and we can choose to put the reference point anywhere. Doesn't that mean that the potential at a point is undefined?" Student 1: Student 2: "We could also put the reference point at the point where we are measuring the potential. Would that make the potential everywhere in space zero?" kQ Student 3: "I remember that the potential of a point charge is V Does that mean the potential at a point can never be zero unless it's infinitely far away?"

Explanation / Answer

My answer to

Student 1.Potential at a point is defined as Kq/r and this is defined when we assume potential at infinity is 0.so potential of a point is always a relative point but for absolute we take potential at infinity equal to 0.We measure every potential relative to infinity

Student 2 =No potential will vary according to position no matter which reference point we take.

Student 3 =No ,potential can be zero .Example connect anything to ground to make potential of that thing equal to zero

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.