Final answer:
The potential difference between two points around a point charge is calculated using the electric potential formula V = kQ/r, and by subtracting the potentials obtained at the two different distances from the charge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference in potential between two points situated at different distances from a point charge can be found using the formula for the electric potential V due to a point charge, which is V = kQ/r, where k is Coulomb's constant (8.99×109 Nm2/C2), Q is the charge, and r is the distance from the charge.
For the given question, two points situated 11.7 cm and 23.4 cm from a 5.0×10−6 C point charge have potentials V1 and V2 respectively. The potential difference ΔV is then V1 − V2:
- V1 = (8.99×109 × 5.0×10−6 C) / 0.117 m
- V2 = (8.99×109 × 5.0×10−6 C) / 0.234 m
- ΔV = V1 − V2
By substituting the values into the formula, we can calculate the potential difference between the two points.