Inside a high-voltage lab, engineers have designed a storage container for electrical energy using a nonconducting sphere of radius r2 that contains a concentric spherical cavity of radius r1. The material between r₁ and r₂ carries a uniform charge density ρE ( C/m³). Determine the electric potential V, relative to V = 0 at r = ∞, as a function of the distance r from the center for r > r₂.
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25. Electric Potential
Electric Potential
Problem 26b
Textbook Question
(II) Two point charges, 3.4 μC and -2.0 μC, are placed 8.0 cm apart on the x axis. At what points along the x axis are the potential zero? Let V = 0 at r = ∞.

1
Step 1: Recall the formula for electric potential due to a point charge: \( V = \frac{kq}{r} \), where \( k \) is Coulomb's constant (\( 8.99 \times 10^9 \, \text{N·m}^2/\text{C}^2 \)), \( q \) is the charge, and \( r \) is the distance from the charge.
Step 2: Since the problem asks for the points where the total potential is zero, set up the equation for the total potential due to both charges: \( V_{\text{total}} = V_1 + V_2 = \frac{kq_1}{r_1} + \frac{kq_2}{r_2} = 0 \). Here, \( r_1 \) and \( r_2 \) are the distances from the respective charges to the point where \( V = 0 \).
Step 3: Define the distances \( r_1 \) and \( r_2 \) in terms of the position \( x \) along the x-axis. Let the charge \( q_1 = 3.4 \, \mu\text{C} \) be at \( x = 0 \) and \( q_2 = -2.0 \, \mu\text{C} \) be at \( x = 8.0 \, \text{cm} \). The distance \( r_1 \) to \( q_1 \) is \( x \), and the distance \( r_2 \) to \( q_2 \) is \( 8.0 - x \).
Step 4: Substitute \( r_1 \) and \( r_2 \) into the total potential equation: \( \frac{kq_1}{x} + \frac{kq_2}{8.0 - x} = 0 \). Simplify by canceling \( k \) (since it is a common factor) and solving for \( x \): \( \frac{q_1}{x} + \frac{q_2}{8.0 - x} = 0 \).
Step 5: Solve the resulting equation for \( x \). Rearrange terms to isolate \( x \): \( \frac{q_1}{x} = -\frac{q_2}{8.0 - x} \). Cross-multiply to eliminate the fractions: \( q_1(8.0 - x) = -q_2x \). Expand and simplify to find the values of \( x \) where the potential is zero. Note that there may be two solutions: one between the charges and one outside the interval.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electric Potential
Electric potential, or voltage, is the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric field. It is a scalar quantity and is influenced by the presence of electric charges. The potential due to a point charge decreases with distance from the charge, and the total potential at a point is the algebraic sum of the potentials due to all charges present.
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Superposition Principle
The superposition principle states that the total electric potential at a point due to multiple charges is the sum of the potentials due to each charge considered independently. This principle allows us to analyze complex charge configurations by breaking them down into simpler components, making it essential for calculating the potential at various points in the electric field created by multiple charges.
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Zero Potential Points
Zero potential points are locations in an electric field where the net electric potential is zero. This occurs when the contributions from multiple charges cancel each other out. To find these points, one must set the equation for the total electric potential equal to zero and solve for the position, considering the distances from each charge and their respective magnitudes.
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Potential Due To Point Charges
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