University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321973615
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-361-0

Chapter 23 - Electric Potential - Problems - Discussion Questions - Page 776: Q23.6

Answer

No. All we know is that the electric potential is constant within this region of space.

Work Step by Step

Equation 23.18 calculates the potential difference between 2 points by using the electric field along a path that joins the 2 points. If the electric field is zero everywhere in the region, the potential difference is zero for any 2 points within the region, i.e., we know that the electric potential is constant within this region where E=0. However, we cannot conclude that the constant potential equals zero here; the reference level where the electric potential equals zero is arbitrary.
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