Question

Which of the following statements is valid?

(a) If the potential at a particular point is zero, the field at that point must be zero.

(b) If the field at a particular point is zero, the potential at that point must be zero.

(c) If the field throughout a particular region is constant, the potential throughout that region must be zero.

(d) If the potential throughout a particular region is constant, the field throughout that region must be zero.

Short answer

The correct answer is option (d) If the potential throughout a particular region is constant, the field throughout that region must be zero.

Step-by-step solution

Relationship between electric field and electric potential

One of the significant misinterpretations about the electric field is that it is directly proportional to the electric potential. However, the electric field is proportional to the variation in electric potential.

Evaluation of the electric field and potential at a particular point

Since the electric potential midway between equal and opposite electric charges is zero, the electric field is non-zero. It is known that change in electric potential relies on the electric field, so when the potential through a certain region remains unchanged, the electric field throughout that region should be zero.

Thus, the correct option is (d).