The electric field at the origin is along the positive x-axis. A small circle is drawn with the centre at the origin, cutting the axes at points A, B, C and D with coordinates (a, 0), (0, a), (−a, 0), (0, −a), respectively. Out of the points on the periphery of the circle, the potential is minimum at
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D

Open in App

Solution

(a) A

The potential due to a charge decreases along the direction of electric field. As the electric field is along the positive x-axis, the potential will decrease in this direction. Therefore, the potential is minimum at point (a,0).

Suggest Corrections

Similar questions

Q. The electric field at the origin is along the positive X-axis. A small circle is drawn with the centre at the origin cutting the axes at points A, B, C and D having coordinates

(a, 0), (0, a), (- a, 0), (0, - a)

respectively. Out of the given points on the periphery of the circle, the potential is minimum at :

The electric field in a region surrounding the origin and along the x-axis is uniform. A small circle is drawn with the center at the origin cutting the axes at points A, B, C, and D having coordinates (a, 0), (0, a), (-a, 0), and (0, -a), respectively, as shown in Fig. Then the potential is minimum at :