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equipotential lines

A edexcel unit 5 questions is asking me to draw three subsequent equipotential lines.

I drew them equal distance apart, the markscheme has them increasing distance apart...

I thought V = GM/r so therefore as you double the radius the potential halves. so how come, between subsequent lines, the radius is getting much larger?
Reply 1
Avatar for Paxi
Paxi
1
Because it's a radial feild.
Reply 2
Avatar for john !!
john !!
OP
14
I know that already, what is your point?
Reply 3
Avatar for mackin boi
mackin boi
1
I think its jsut the inverse square law...so it doubles...:frown:
Reply 4
Avatar for john !!
john !!
OP
14
V = -GM/r, that is not inverse square, just inversely proportional.
Reply 5
Avatar for sumitk87
sumitk87
1
knowledge of V = -GM/r is not required in the edexcel sylabus :smile:
Reply 6
Avatar for mackin boi
mackin boi
1
sumitk87
knowledge of V = -GM/r is not required in the edexcel sylabus :smile:


yea it isnt
Reply 7
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Font
mik1w
A edexcel unit 5 questions is asking me to draw three subsequent equipotential lines.

I drew them equal distance apart, the markscheme has them increasing distance apart...

I thought V = GM/r so therefore as you double the radius the potential halves. so how come, between subsequent lines, the radius is getting much larger?


think of it matheatically - its not direct proportion - its inversely proportional, so when you increase r a bit, it doesn't imply that V will decrease uniformly; recall the graph of y=1/x and compare it to that:smile:

pk
Reply 8
Avatar for Economist
Economist
11
The distance between two lines indicates the field strength. It decreases as you go further out so the equipotential lines get further apart

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