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Potential due to system of charges

Electrostatic potential and capacitance · Physics

Electric field lab

Interactive 3D

Place charges and trace the field lines — like charges repel, opposites attract.

Controls

Drag the sliders or type a value — the simulation updates live.

µC
1µC10µC

Study notes

**Worked Example** *Problem:* Two point charges, +5 µC and –5 µC, are 20 cm apart. Find the electric potential at the point exactly midway between them. *Step 1 – Identify distances:* The point is 10 cm (0.1 m) from each charge. *Step 2 – Use the formula for each charge:* V₁ = k·q₁/r₁ = (9×10⁹)·(5×10⁻⁶)/0.1 = 450,000 V. V₂ = k·q₂/r₂ = (9×10⁹)·(–5×10⁻⁶)/0.1 = –450,000 V. *Step 3 – Add the potentials (superposition):* V_total = V₁ + V₂ = 450,000 V + (–450,000 V) = 0 V. *Answer:* The electric potential at the midpoint is 0 V. The positive and negative charges cancel each other out exactly at that spot.

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