Understanding Forces and Electric Potential

In summary, the problem involves determining when forces cancel out, and the solution includes drawing a forces diagram and checking if the arrows are in the same direction.
  • #1
Shaunzio
16
0

Homework Statement


So here is the problem:
http://i.imgur.com/IlklC.png"

I already know the answers but I can't figure out why it is the case. How do you know when the forces cancel out?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



The answers should be:
a) 1,2
b)None
c) No
d) yes
 
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  • #2
Hi Shaunzio! :wink:
Shaunzio said:
How do you know when the forces cancel out?

draw a forces diagram …

assume there's a positive charge at the point, and draw two arrows to show the direction of the forces on it …

if the arrows are in the same direction, then they can't cancel! :smile:
 

FAQ: Understanding Forces and Electric Potential

What is electric potential?

Electric potential is a measure of the amount of electrical potential energy that a charged particle has at a specific point in space. It is also known as voltage and is measured in volts (V).

How is electric potential different from electric field?

Electric potential and electric field are related but different concepts. Electric potential is a scalar quantity that describes the energy per unit charge at a specific point in space, while electric field is a vector quantity that describes the force per unit charge that a charged particle would experience at that point.

What factors affect electric potential?

The electric potential at a point is affected by the amount of charge, the distance from the source of the electric field, and the medium in which the electric field exists. Other factors such as the shape of the charged object and the presence of other nearby charges can also affect electric potential.

How is electric potential measured?

Electric potential can be measured using a voltmeter, which is connected to two points in an electric circuit and measures the difference in electric potential between those points. It can also be calculated using the equation V = kQ/r, where V is the electric potential, k is the Coulomb's constant, Q is the amount of charge, and r is the distance from the source of the electric field.

What are some real-world applications of electric potential?

Electric potential has many real-world applications, such as in batteries, which use differences in electric potential to generate electricity. It is also used in electronic devices to control the flow of electrons and in power plants to generate and distribute electricity. Understanding electric potential is also important in fields such as physics, engineering, and medicine.

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