2007-05-02 17:33:42 · 4 answers · asked by Adnan Shahid Afridi 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
No, two equipotential surfaces can never intersect. Let's use gravitational potential energy as an example. Gravitational potential energy is proportional to the height of the object above the Earth. If two surfaces of equal potential crossed, that would imply that an object as two different heights at the same time, a physical impossibility. The same is true with electric potential. It is not possible for one location to have both a potential of 100 V and 1,000,000 V at the same time.
2007-05-02 18:21:41 · answer #1 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, assume that they can. One surface is six volts, the other is five hundred volts. Now consider a point on the line where the two intersect. What is the potential (or voltage) at that point. Six volts, or five hundred volts? It can't be both. Now, go look at the original assumption and decide whether it's valid.
2007-05-03 00:45:00 · answer #2 · answered by 2n2222 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly, if one is gravitational and the other is electric. Not if they represent the same force with the same reference point. Then, their potentials would need to be both equal and unequal.
2007-05-03 01:27:09 · answer #3 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes but if you mean can the intersect and retain their charge only if their is a magnetic field and the surface is crossing feild lines a certain rate.
2007-05-03 00:46:42 · answer #4 · answered by starphox 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋