- #1
Reshma
- 749
- 6
This is an interesting problem!
Consider a cube with charges 'q' situated at its corners(a total of 8). Determine the point of stable equilibrium in this cube.
My Answer:
An off hand guess would be the point at the center of the cube, as though a positive charge at the center is suspended in midair.
A point of stable equilibrium is a point of local minimum in the potential energy. Here the potetial energy of 'q' is 'V'. But, we know that Laplace's equation do not allow a local minima for V.
So where would be the point of equilibrium be located?
Consider a cube with charges 'q' situated at its corners(a total of 8). Determine the point of stable equilibrium in this cube.
My Answer:
An off hand guess would be the point at the center of the cube, as though a positive charge at the center is suspended in midair.
A point of stable equilibrium is a point of local minimum in the potential energy. Here the potetial energy of 'q' is 'V'. But, we know that Laplace's equation do not allow a local minima for V.
So where would be the point of equilibrium be located?