1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data What is the net electrical potential at point P due to the four particles if V = 0 at infinity, q = 5 fC and d = 4 cm? The image for this problem can be seen at http://www.webassign.net/hrw/hrw7_24-33.gif 2. Relevant equations Potential = 1/(4εpi) * q/r 3. The attempt at a solution I was able to answer this question, and the answer agrees with the answer key. However, it's left me a bit confused. Potential is a scalar, correct? How does one interpret the meaning of the voltage for point P if, say, only the two +q charges were present. Do the voltages cancel out, or do they add up? I ask because, when I answered this problem, I just blindly added up all the potentials at point P from each charge, regardless of the charges' location. I added the pluses, subtracted the minuses, and got the right answer (which ends up being .54 mV). But does that mean that there is a net positive attraction for the particle? I don't see how that makes sense, since the electrical fields from the positive charges should cancel, no? I imagine I'm looking at this the wrong way...any help would be greatly appreciated!