IB Physics HL D 2 13 Hl Electric Potential As Scalar Questions

Define electric potential as work per unit positive charge and combine scalar potentials to analyse electric potential at points in charge configurations.

Exam points

define electric potential at a point as work done per unit positive test charge brought from infinity
add signed scalar potentials from multiple charges and distinguish electric potential from the vector electric field
use charge signs and symmetry to determine whether electric potential is zero, positive or non-zero at a point

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Study D.2.13 (HL)—Electric potential as scalar conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

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A vertical wall carries a uniform positive charge on its surface. This produces a uniform horizontal electric field perpendicular to the wall. A small, positively-charged ball is suspended in equilibrium from the vertical wall by a thread of negligible mass.

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The centre of the ball, still carrying a charge of $1.2 \times 10^{-6} \mathrm{C}$ , is now placed 0.40 m from a point charge Q . The charge on the ball acts as a point charge at the centre of the ball.
P is the point on the line joining the charges where the electric field strength is zero. The distance PQ is 0.22 m .

Outline, without calculation, whether or not the electric potential at P is zero.

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IB Physics HL D 2 13 Hl Electric Potential As Scalar Questions question 1