Potential due to a group of charges

 

Potential due to a group of charges

1) Consider a group of charges q_1, q_2, q_3,  q_{4, ..…………..} q_n.

2) Suppose P is a position where there is a unit positive charge.

3) Suppose r_1, r_2, r_3, r_{4 …………………..} r_n are the distances

 from q_1, q_2, q_3,  q_{4, ..…………..} q_n to the point P.

 Therefore potential at P due to q₁ is

Similarly

……………………………

……………………………

Therefore net potential at P is

V = V₁  + V₂  + V₃  +………………….. V_n