Question

The net potential due to several point charges at a point is found by simple algebraic addition of individual potentials because:

Options

• The potentials of opposite charges cancel exactly at every point

• Potential is a scalar, so no vector addition is needed

• All charges must be positive for superposition to hold

• Potential is a vector quantity directed along the line joining the charges

Answer 1

Potential is a scalar quantity, so the net potential is obtained by the algebraic sum of the individual potentials due to each charge. Hence, no vector addition is needed.