Friday, 31 July 2020

electrostatics - Potential sign question


Let's consider a positive test charge q and a positive source charge qo


If we take direction of r from qo to q, then potential energy of qo due to q will be:


P=kqoqr


However if we reverse the direction of r from q to qo, will there be any change in the sign of potential energy? If yes/no , why?



Edit @Utkarshfutous and @ Demosthene:


P=rF.dr=kqqor1r2drcosθ



Now,


if cosθ is negative when we take direction of r from qo to q


then cosθ will be positive when we take direction of r from q to qo


Thus the sign of potential changes. Is there something I am missing?





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