Goal: Hone the conservative nature of the electrostatic field
Source: 283-240 Work moving charge around
Two point charges are fixed on the x-axis. A positive charge from point
P to the origin along the different paths shown in the diagram below.
For which path would you do the most work?
- Path A
- Path B
- Path C
- Path D
- Cannot be determined
- None of the above
Commentary:
Answer
(6) Relating the work done to the change in potential should be
stressed. Once this point is made, a good follow-up question is to ask
how much work would be done if one of the charges on the x-axis was
negative.