A2L Item 171

• Description: Identify the configuration of charges having the lowest electrostatic potential at the origin.
• Goal: Reason with electrical potential
• Source: 283-470 Lowest voltage at origin
• Keywords: Electromagnetism, Potentials

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The question for students:

Which of the following charge distributions has the lowest electric potential at the origin?

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Commentary for teachers:

Answer

(5) This question serves to motivate a discussion of the difference between potential energy in a configuration and the electrostatic potential at a point. It is also important to stress that potential when point charges are involved presumes that infinity is the reference point.

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