A proton located at x = 1 m is released along the positive x direction in a electric potential of the form V(x) = 5−3/x, where x is measured in meters and V is measured in volts. What is the x component of the force acting on the proton at x = 3?
The electric field can be calculated from the potential using the basic relation Ex = −∂V/∂x = −3/x2 = −1/3 V/m. The force is Fx = Exe = −5.3×10−20 N.
