Electric potential at the center of meter stick

In summary, the question is asking for the electrical potential at the center of a meter stick with two 3.00-μC charges at either end. The formula for electrical potential is V=kq/r. The person asking the question solved for each charge separately using r=0.5m and q=3.00 μC. They then factored out k/r and summed the charges before multiplying by k/r. They are having trouble getting the correct answer and believe it may be due to a calculator error.
  • #1
azolotor
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Two 3.00-μC charges are at the ends of a meter stick. Find the electrical potential for the center of the meter stick.



V=kq/r



I just want to confirm my answer here. What I did is solve this for both charges in the equation above using r = 0.5m q= 3.00 uC. So I factored out k/r since they were the same for both charges, summed the charges, and then multiplied by k/r. My number isn't coming out correct for some reason and I believe it may just be calculator error. Thanks!
 
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  • #2
What is the answer you get?
 

FAQ: Electric potential at the center of meter stick

What is the formula for calculating the electric potential at the center of a meter stick?

The formula for calculating the electric potential at the center of a meter stick is V = kQ/L, where V is the potential in volts, k is the Coulomb's constant, Q is the charge, and L is the length of the meter stick.

Can the electric potential at the center of a meter stick be negative?

Yes, the electric potential at the center of a meter stick can be negative if the charge on the stick is negative. The potential is negative when the electric field points towards the stick, and positive when the electric field points away from the stick.

How does the charge on the meter stick affect the electric potential at its center?

The charge on the meter stick directly affects the electric potential at its center. The greater the charge, the higher the potential. This relationship is linear, meaning that doubling the charge will result in double the potential.

Why is the electric potential at the center of a meter stick considered a point charge potential?

The electric potential at the center of a meter stick is considered a point charge potential because it follows the same formula as the potential of a point charge. This means that the electric potential at the center of the stick is dependent only on the distance from the center and the charge, just like a point charge.

Does the length of the meter stick have any effect on the electric potential at its center?

Yes, the length of the meter stick does have an effect on the electric potential at its center. According to the formula V = kQ/L, as the length increases, the potential decreases. This means that a longer meter stick will have a lower potential at its center compared to a shorter one, if the charge and other variables are kept constant.

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