Question

Which is the expression for electric potential due to a system of charges from the following?

(a) V=\(\frac {1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_o} (\frac {q_1}{r_1} + \frac {q_2}{r_2} + \frac {q_3}{r_3} +……. \frac {q_n}{r_n})\)

(b) V=1 χ 4πεo \( (\frac {q_1}{r_1} + \frac {q_2}{r_2} + \frac {q_3}{r_3} +……. \frac {q_n}{r_n})\)

(c) V=\(\frac {1}{8 \pi \varepsilon_o} (\frac {q_1}{r_1} + \frac {q_2}{r_2} + \frac {q_3}{r_3} +……. \frac {q_n}{r_n})\)

(d) V=\(\frac {1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_o} (\frac {q_1}{r_1} \times \frac {q_2}{r_2} \times \frac {q_3}{r_3} \times……. \frac {q_n}{r_n})\)

I have been asked this question by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.

The query is from Electrostatic Potential due to a System of Charges in chapter Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance of Physics – Class 12

Answer 1

The correct choice is (a) V=\(\frac {1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_o} (\frac {q_1}{r_1} + \frac {q_2}{r_2} + \frac {q_3}{r_3} +……. \frac {q_n}{r_n})\)

To explain I would say: The electric potential at a point due to a system of charges is equal to the algebraic sum of the electric potentials due to individual charges at that point. The expression for electric potential due to a system of charges is given by:

V=\(\frac {1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_o} (\frac {q_1}{r_1} + \frac {q_2}{r_2} + \frac {q_3}{r_3} +……. \frac {q_n}{r_n})\)