Four charges are placed at the corners of a square. All charges have the same ma

Question

Four charges are placed at the corners of a square. All charges have the same magnitude. How would you choose the signs of the charges so that at the center of the square:

a) the net electric field is zero, but the net electric potential is not zero?

b) the net electric field is not zero, but the net electric potential is zero?

c) the net electric field and the net electric potential are both zero?

d) the net electric field and the net electric potential are neither zero?

Briefly explain each answer

Explanation / Answer

a) for the net electric field to be zero at the centre, all the charges have to be of the same sign .hence , each charge at the corner will cancel out the electric field due to diagonally opposite charge

The potential will be numerical sum and hence is not equal to zero in this case

b) the net electric field will not be zero and net electric potential will be zero

when the 2 charge are of same sign and other two are of same sign

and charges of same sign are placed adjacent to each other

c) the net electric field and net elctric potential = 0

when the 2 charge are of same sign and other two are of same sign

and the similar charges are placed diagonally opposite

d) the net EF and potential are neither 0

three charge of the same sign and one of the other sign placed randomly along the corners

there will be net EF along the diagonal where the opposite charges are placed

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