Considering a group of positive charges, which of the following statements is correct?
- (A)Net potential of the system cannot be zero at a point but net electric field can be zero at that point.✓ Correct
- (B)Net potential of the system at a point can be zero but net electric field can't be zero at that point.
- (C)Both the net potential and the net field can be zero at a point.
- (D)Both the net potential and the net electric field cannot be zero at a point.
Answer: (A)
Solution
The potential due to a point charge is a scalar that carries the sign of the charge, so around a group of positive charges every contribution is positive and they can never add to zero at any finite point; the net potential stays positive everywhere. The electric field is a vector, and contributions from different charges can point in opposing directions and cancel, as they do midway between two equal positive charges. Thus for such a group the net potential cannot be zero while the net field at a suitable point can be zero.
JEE Main · 2023 · 31 Jan 2023 · Shift 2 · Single correct option