Question

The Electric Potential of the Earth The Earth has a vertical electric field with a magnitude of approximately 100 V/m near its surface.
What is the magnitude of the potential difference between a point on the ground and a point on the same level as the top of the Washington Monument (555 ft high)?

Answer 1

Answer:

16916.4 V

Explanation:

Electric potential: This is the work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to that point in against the action of the field. The S.I unit  of Electric potential is V.

mathematically, Electric potential can be expressed as

P = E×d ....................................... Equation 1.

Where P = Electric potential, E = Electric Field, d = distance/height of the level at the top of the Washington  Monument.

Given: E = 100 V/m, d = 555 ft = 555×0.3048 m = 169.164 m.

Substitute into equation 1

P = 100×169.164

P = 16916.4 V.

Thus the potential difference = 16916.4 V.