Find the Speed of a Charge Placed on a Square's Center

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a configuration of charges placed at the corners of a square, with a fifth charge located at the center. The objective is to determine the speed of the central charge when it is moved to a great distance from the square.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to relate the total energy of the system to the kinetic energy of the central charge, questioning the correctness of their approach. Some participants inquire about the symmetry of the charge distribution and its effect on the motion of the central charge.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem, including the nature of the charges and their implications on the central charge's movement. There is no explicit consensus yet, but some guidance has been offered regarding the fixed nature of the corner charges.

Contextual Notes

The charges at the corners are specified to be different, which may influence the potential energy calculations. The original poster's assumption about the total work and energy relationships is under scrutiny.

renanpo
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Hi, I have a question about a problem. Four different charges are placed on the corners of a square, and then a fifth one is placed on the center. I need to find the speed this fifth charge would have at a great distance.

The total energy of the system should be the sum of the work to bring each charge to the square right? So, the total work equals U, and the velocity of the charge can be found from U=Ek, U=mv^2/2. It seems right to me, but I just can't get the right answer. I appreciate the help, thanks.
 
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anyone??

can anyone please help me??
thanks..
 
Are all the charges the same? It depends on the system. If the system is symmetric in any kind of way then the central charge won't move.
 
No.. the charges are different. Q on corner A, 2Q on corner B, -3Q on corner C and 6Q on corner D. The charge that is put in the center of the square is Q..
 
If the four charges are fixed, you jujst need to find the U of the central charge Q.
 

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