Chapter 33, Problem 40A

What is the voltage at the location of a 0.0001-C charge that has an electrical potential energy of 0.5 J? Both voltage and potential energy are measured relative to the same reference point.

To determine

To Find: The voltage at the location of a given charge.

Answer to Problem 40A

The voltage at point = 5000 V.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

Charge, $q=0.0001\text{ C}$ .

Electric potential energy, $U=0.5\text{ J}$ .

Formula used:

The potential energy is given as:

  $U=qV$

Calculation:

The voltage at the point at which potential energy is 0.5 J:

  $\begin{array}{l}U=qV\\ 0.5=0.0001\times V\\ V=\frac{0.5}{0.0001}\\ V=5000\text{ volts}\text{.}\end{array}$

Conclusion:

The voltage at point = 5000 volts.