Physics · Electrostatics
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Two point charges, each of magnitude q, are separated by a distance 2d. At a point mid-way between:
- A
E=0,V=0
- B
E≠0,V=0
- C
E=0,V≠0
- D
E≠0,V≠0
E=0,V≠0 Correct. The electric field at the midpoint cancels out because the two charges create fields in opposite directions. However, the potential is the sum of contributions from both charges, which is nonzero.
(a) E=0,V=0 Incorrect. The electric potential VVV is a scalar quantity and adds up due to both charges. Since both charges are equal, their potentials sum up instead of canceling out. Hence, V≠0V \neq 0V=0.
E≠0,V=0 Incorrect. The potential at the midpoint of two identical charges is nonzero because potential is a scalar sum. However, the electric field, being a vector quantity, cancels out due to symmetry, making E=0E = 0E=0. Thus, this option is incorrect
E=0,V≠0 Correct. The electric field at the midpoint cancels out because the two charges create fields in opposite directions. However, the potential is the sum of contributions from both charges, which is nonzero.
E≠0,V≠0 Incorrect. The electric field cancels out due to symmetry, meaning E=0E = 0E=0, so this option is incorrect.
Tagged under Physics · Electrostatics · 2023