Question

In the region of space depicted below, a uniform electric field of 12 N/C points in the +y direction. If a particle starts at the white circle on the x-axis, to which point would it move to have its electric potential decrease the most? Between which pairs of points is there zero potential difference?

●E 8 ●F

Explain

Answer 1

We can easily solve this problem using the concept of equipotential lines.

Equipotential lines are those lines on which the potential remains the same. Two equipotential lines never intersect with each other i.e. they always remains parallel .

Relation between electric field and equipotential lines :

Equipotential lines are always perpendicular to the electric field lines.

And the direction of electric field is always from the higher potential to lower potential .

So,the highest potential is at the point F and the lowest potential is at the point A .

E 12 N/C At lowest potential At highest potential

Based on these information we can conclude that,

if the particle move to point A then its electric potential will decreases the most (as electric field is in +y direction).

And between the point C and D the potential difference is zero (as they are on the same equipotential line).

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