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AP · AP 2 · multiple choice

AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based · Question 2

AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based · Original GioPhysics question with a detailed, mark-by-mark answer guide.

Demand
demanding
Marks
1
Topics
1
Answer
Complete
multiple choice1 mark

Two point charges, +Q and −Q, are held a distance d apart. What are the electric field and the electric potential at the midpoint between them, taking the potential to be zero at infinity?

  1. A

    field zero, potential zero

  2. B

    field zero, potential non-zero

  3. C

    field non-zero, potential zero

  4. D

    field non-zero, potential non-zero

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Answer overviewCorrect answer: C — field non-zero, potential zero
01

Answer and reasoning

1 mark
How to approach it

Predict from the governing principle before looking for a matching option. Then reject alternatives by checking direction, units, limiting behaviour or the physical meaning of each statement.

  1. 1

    The correct choice is C: field non-zero, potential zero

  2. 2

    A is the commonest answer and gets exactly one of the two wrong. The field contributions are vectors that both point from the positive charge towards the negative one, so they add; the potentials are scalars of equal size and opposite sign, so they cancel.

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