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physikamateur
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Homework Statement
Four particles, each having a charge q are placed on the four corners A, B, C, D of a regular pentagon ABCDE. The distance of each corner from the centre is a. Find the electric field at the centre of the pentagon.
Homework Equations
E=q/(4∏ε0)(a^2) where k=1/4∏ε0
The Attempt at a Solution
Well certainly I think it's silly to just sum up four electric fields to give 4q/(4∏ε0)(a^2). I think it would seem obvious that there is a net electric field as shown in the attached diagram. Suppose E(E) exists. Then E(A)+E(B)+E(C)+E(D)+E(E)=0. My working is shown in the diagram attached. At the same time I am confused as how the electric field vectors resolves.