Q19.3-27PE

Question

How far from a \(1.00{\rm{ }}\mu C\) point charge will the potential be \(100{\rm{ }}V\)? At what distance will it be \(2.00 \times {10^2}{\rm{ }}V\)?

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer

(a) At a distance of \(r = 90.0{\rm{ }}m\) a \(1.00{\rm{ }}\mu C\) point charge will the potential be \(100{\rm{ }}V\).

(b) At a distance of \(r' = 45.0\;m\) a \(1.00{\rm{ }}\mu C\) point charge will the potential be \(2.00 \times {10^2}{\rm{ }}V\).

1Step 1: Given Information
  • The potential charge value – \(1.00{\rm{ }}\mu C\)
  • The given potential – \(100{\rm{ }}V\)
  • The given potential – \(2.00 \times {10^2}{\rm{ }}V\)
2Step 2: Concept Introduction

Electric Potential Due to a Single Charge: Place a test charge \(q\) at the desired site, and then calculate the electric potential energy \({U_{Qq}}\) of the system containing the test charge and the source charge that generates the field to determine the electric potential owing to a single charge at that location.

The ratio - \(V = \frac{{{U_{Qq}}}}{q} = \frac{{kQ}}{r}...(1)\) determines the electric potential there, where \(k = 8.99 \times {10^9}{\rm{ }}N \times {m^2}/C\) is a proportionality constant known as the Coulomb's constant. The joule/coulomb \(\left( {J/C} \right)\), often known as the volt \(\left( V \right)\) is the unit of electric potential.

3Step 3: Calculation for the distance

(a)

The electric potential a distance \(r\) from the proton is found from Equation \((1)\) –

\(V = \frac{{kq}}{r}\)

Solving for \(r\), it is obtained –

\(r = \frac{{kq}}{V}\)

Entering the values for \(k,q\), and \(V\)–

\(\begin{array}{c}r = \frac{{\left( {8.99 \times {{10}^9}\;N \times {m^2}/C} \right)\left( {1.00 \times {{10}^{ - 6}}{\rm{ }}C} \right)}}{{100\;V}}\\ = 90.0\;m\end{array}\)

4Step 4: Calculation for the distance

(b)

The electric potential a distance \(r'\) from the proton is found from Equation \((1)\) –

\(V' = \frac{{kq}}{{r'}}\)

Solving for \(r'\), it is obtained –

\(r' = \frac{{kq}}{{V'}}\)

Entering the values for \(k,q\), and \(V'\)–

\(\begin{array}{c}r' = \frac{{\left( {8.99 \times {{10}^9}\;N \times {m^2}/C} \right)\left( {1.00 \times {{10}^{ - 6}}{\rm{ }}C} \right)}}{{2.00 \times {{10}^2}\;V}}\\ = 45.0\;m\end{array}\)

 

Therefore, the distances are obtained as \(r = 90.0\;m\)and \(r' = 45.0\;m\).