Question

When multiple point charges are present, the total potential at any point is found by taking the:

Options

• Vector sum of potentials due to each individual charge, resolving into components

• Root mean square of potentials due to each individual charge

• Product of potentials due to each individual charge

• Algebraic sum of potentials due to each individual charge, since potential is a scalar

Answer 1

By the superposition principle, the total potential equals the algebraic sum of potentials due to each charge. Since potential is a scalar, we simply add numbers — no vector components or angles are required.