Can electrostatic potential at point be zero, while electric field at ...
Yes such a condition is possible at the mid point of the line joining two like charges. The electric fields are cancelled at the mid point as they have an equal magnitude but in opposite directions. However, the potential at the mid point is the algebraic sum of the potentials contributed by the point charges as electric potential is a scalar quantity.
Can electrostatic potential at point be zero, while electric field at ...
Introduction:
Electrostatic potential and electric field are two fundamental concepts in electrostatics. While they are related, they are not the same thing. Electrostatic potential is a scalar quantity that describes the amount of work needed to move a charge from infinity to a certain point in an electric field. Electric field, on the other hand, is a vector quantity that describes the force per unit charge acting on a charge at a certain point in space.
Answer:
It is possible for electrostatic potential at a point to be zero, while electric field at the point is not zero. This can happen when there are charges present in the vicinity of the point in question.
Explanation:
When there are charges present in the vicinity of a point, they create an electric field in the surrounding space. This electric field can be thought of as a force field that exerts a force on any charge placed in the field. The direction of the electric field is the direction in which a positive charge would move if placed in the field.
Now, let's consider a situation where there are two charges present in the vicinity of a point, and these charges are of equal magnitude but opposite sign. This situation is called a dipole. The electric field created by a dipole falls off as 1/r^3, where r is the distance from the dipole. At a certain distance from the dipole, the electric field will be zero. However, the electrostatic potential at this point may not be zero.
The reason for this is that electrostatic potential is a scalar quantity that takes into account the distance between charges and the magnitude of the charges. In the case of a dipole, the electrostatic potential at a point depends on the distance between the point and the dipole, as well as the orientation of the dipole with respect to the point. If the point is located along the axis of the dipole, the electrostatic potential will be zero. However, if the point is located off the axis of the dipole, the electrostatic potential will not be zero.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is possible for electrostatic potential at a point to be zero, while electric field at the point is not zero. This can happen when there are charges present in the vicinity of the point in question, and the point is located in a position where the electric field is zero but the electrostatic potential is not.