Potential at a point multiple choice question ( aqa)

In summary, the speaker is discussing how to find the resultant potential if one of the charges is negative and how it affects the overall potential. They also inquire about the potential at a specific point and how it can be calculated based on the charges and their distances.
  • #1
bonbon22
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5
Homework Statement
https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/sample-papers-and-mark-schemes/2018/june/AQA-74082-QP-JUN18.PDF
question 22 on the multiple choice near the end
Relevant Equations
no equations
I understand how they arrived at the answer of 2Q , but i have a couple of questions on this. If one of the charges were negative for example how would the resultant potential be found then? at the middle point would i add the positive charges and subtracted the negative ? Also what would the potential be at for the corner , for example the bottom left corner assuming the charges were Q, Q, Q , 2Q?
 
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  • #2
bonbon22 said:
If one of the charges were negative for example how would the resultant potential be found then?
What's the potential from a point charge? How does it depend on the sign of the charge? (Note: Potentials from multiple charges can just be added like scalars.)
 
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  • #3
Doc Al said:
What's the potential from a point charge? How does it depend on the sign of the charge? (Note: Potentials from multiple charges can just be added like scalars.)
makes sense. what would the poential be at the bottom left corner?
 
  • #4
bonbon22 said:
makes sense. what would the poential be at the bottom left corner?
You tell me. If you know the charges and their distance from the bottom left corner, you can find the potential at that point from those charges. (Don't include the potential from the charge residing there, since the problem becomes unphysical at zero distance.)
 
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Related to Potential at a point multiple choice question ( aqa)

1. What is the definition of potential at a point?

Potential at a point is the amount of work needed to move a unit positive charge from infinity to that point, without any acceleration.

2. How is potential at a point calculated?

Potential at a point is calculated by dividing the work done in moving the charge by the magnitude of the charge itself.

3. What are the units of potential?

The units of potential are joules per coulomb (J/C).

4. How is potential at a point affected by the distance from the source charge?

The potential at a point decreases as the distance from the source charge increases, following an inverse square law.

5. Can potential at a point be negative?

Yes, potential at a point can be negative if the source charge is negative. In this case, the potential would be negative relative to infinity.

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