Electric Field Zero Points: Square Arrangement of Charges | Homework Question

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the points at which the electric field is zero for four charges arranged at the corners of a square. The initial suggestion identifies points A and B as potential zero-field locations due to the symmetry of equal charges. However, concerns are raised about the y-components of the electric field at these points, questioning whether they truly sum to zero. The participant acknowledges that while the x-components may balance, the influence of distant charges could result in a non-zero field in the y-direction. The conversation highlights the complexity of analyzing electric fields in multi-charge systems.
bap902
Messages
25
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Four charges are arranged on the corner of a square. At which points is the electric field equal to zero?

Diagram:
http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/1994/diagram2zb7.png


Homework Equations


None


The Attempt at a Solution


I chose A and B because the charges are equal so therefore the electric field will be zero right inbetween them.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Certainly the x components of the fields are balanced at A & B, but what about the field in the y direction at A & B? Is it 0 at those points?
 
Thanks for your help. I don't know about the y direction.
 
When you are at A what is the field from the far away negative charges? It would be non-zero wouldn't it?

Likewise at point B for the positive charges.
 
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'

Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'

TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
View full post »
Thread 'Struggling to make relation between elastic force and height'

Thread 'Struggling to make relation between elastic force and height'

Hello guys this is what I tried so far. I used the UTS to calculate the force it needs when the rope tears. My idea was to make a relationship/ function that would give me the force depending on height. Yeah i couldnt find a way to solve it. I also thought about how I could use hooks law (how it was given to me in my script) with the thought of instead of having two part of a rope id have one singular rope from the middle to the top where I could find the difference in height. But the...
View full post »

Similar threads

Discontinuity in an Electric line of force
Replies
12
Views
2K
Electric Field Inside a Gaussian Surface with Point Charge q
Replies
4
Views
2K
Electric Field Flux Question
Replies
4
Views
785
Electric field due to n charges
Replies
6
Views
2K
Why is electric field at the center of a charged disk not zero?
Replies
4
Views
3K
Electric field external to Conducting Hollow Sphere with charge inside
Replies
23
Views
3K
Electric field at a point within a charged circular ring
2
Replies
68
Views
7K
Electric field created by point charges
Replies
6
Views
846
Finding the position where the electric field is zero
Replies
2
Views
2K
Charge on inner/outer surfaces of two large parallel conducting plates
Replies
11
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top