Question

The electric potential at a distance \[r\] from a point charge \[q\] in air/vacuum is given by:

Options

• \[V(r)=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}qr\]

• \[V(r)=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{q^2}{r}\]

• \[V(r)=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{q}{r^2}\]

• \[V(r)=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{q}{r}\]

Answer 1

For a point charge \[q\] in air/vacuum, the potential varies as \[V(r)=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{q}{r}\]. It falls off as \[1/r\], unlike the force and electric field which vary as \[1/r^2\].