Two point charges, +Q and -Q, are placed at a distance d apart. What is the elec

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Question: Two point charges, +Q and -Q, are placed at a distance d apart. What is the electric potential at the midpoint between the charges?

Options:

Correct Answer: 0

Solution:

The electric potential at the midpoint is zero because the potentials due to +Q and -Q cancel each other out.

Two point charges, +Q and -Q, are placed at a distance d apart. What is the electric potential at the midpoint between the charges?

Two point charges, +Q and -Q, are placed at a distance d apart. What is the electric potential at the midpoint between the charges?

Correct Answer: 0

Step 1: Identify the two point charges. We have a positive charge (+Q) and a negative charge (-Q).
Step 2: Determine the distance between the two charges. They are placed at a distance 'd' apart.
Step 3: Find the midpoint between the two charges. This point is located exactly halfway between +Q and -Q.
Step 4: Understand that electric potential (V) is a scalar quantity. This means we can add the potentials from each charge algebraically.
Step 5: Calculate the electric potential due to +Q at the midpoint. The potential is positive.
Step 6: Calculate the electric potential due to -Q at the midpoint. The potential is negative.
Step 7: Add the potentials from +Q and -Q at the midpoint. Since one is positive and the other is negative, they will cancel each other out.
Step 8: Conclude that the total electric potential at the midpoint is zero.

Electric Potential – The electric potential at a point in space due to point charges is the sum of the potentials due to each charge, which can be positive or negative depending on the charge.
Superposition Principle – The total electric potential at a point is the algebraic sum of the potentials due to individual charges.
Midpoint Analysis – At the midpoint between two equal and opposite charges, the contributions to electric potential from each charge are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign.