How Do You Calculate the Electric Potential at Point X Relative to Point Y?

[phm]

Homework Statement

Point X is 0.25m away from a point charge of +4.7 X 10^-8C, point Y is 0.65m away. What is the potential of point X with respect to point Y?

Homework Equations

V= kQ/d

The Attempt at a Solution

I was able to find the potential of X using V=kQ/d with respect to the point charge, which equals 1.7 X 10³ V, but I'm not sure as to how to find it with respect to the Y point.

 

[tiny-tim]

Welcome to PF!

Hi phm! Welcome to PF!

… I was able to find the potential of X using V=kQ/d with respect to the point charge, which equals 1.7 X 10³ V, but I'm not sure as to how to find it with respect to the Y point.

The whole point of having potentials is that they don't depend on path (so they are only defined for conservative forces) …

so the potentials just add and subtract as ordinary scalars (ordinary numbers) …

just like gravitational potential energy!

 

[nlightner]

I would like to clarify that the potential of a point is a measure of the electric potential energy per unit charge at that point. In this case, we are dealing with a point charge and two points, X and Y, at different distances from the charge. The potential at point X with respect to point Y can be calculated using the equation V = kQ(1/dx - 1/dy), where dx and dy are the distances between the respective points and the charge.

In this scenario, we have the values of Q, dx, and dy, so we can substitute them in the equation and calculate the potential at point X with respect to point Y. This would give us a different value than the potential at point X with respect to the point charge, as the reference point has changed.

It is important to note that the potential at a point is a relative quantity and depends on the reference point chosen. Therefore, it is necessary to specify the reference point when discussing potential. In this case, the potential at point X can be stated as 1.7 x 10^3 V with respect to the point charge, and a different value with respect to point Y.