Electric Field Interactions in a Bent Wire Configuration

AI Thread Summary
In the discussed scenario, a U-shaped wire connects two equal but opposite charges, with a significant negative charge near the bottom of the U. The primary question is whether electrons will flow from the small negative charge to the small positive charge across the wire. It is concluded that the presence of the nearby negative charge will repel electrons, preventing them from reaching the positive charge. Additionally, the wire's configuration and the electric fields involved influence the movement of electrons, indicating that the electric field does affect current flow. Overall, the setup suggests that the electrons will not flow as initially expected due to repulsion from the nearby negative charge.
elyons
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The problem is about electric fields towards the beginning of my second quarter of general physics.
There are two equal but opposite charges connected by a conducting wire. the Wire is bent in the shape of a U and there is a massive negative charge (relative to the other two) very close to the bottom of the U shaped wire, very close without touching. (this problem is set up 2 dimensionally if that helps make what I am explaining clearer)

The question is whether or not electrons will flow from the small negative charge at one end of the wire to the small positive charge at the other end. Can I simply sum the vectors of the electric fields of the three charges at any point of the wire using coulomb's law. Or does the wire change the scenario? Can an electric field affect the electrical current in a wire?

My textbook doesn't directly address this and I don't like to make assumptions so I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.
I have been stuck for awhile and would greatly appreciate any help.
Thanks!

I am hoping I explained this clearly. I am not much of a writer so if I truly did a bad job let me know and I can post a picture.
 
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Yeah, you're right. You can set up an electric field and work it out that way. The other way is to think about how an electron is negatively charged. As there is a negative charge at the bottom of the U, that negative charge will repel the electron. As such, it will never be able to come down to the bottom of the U and thus, won't be able to travel to the positive charge.
 
elyons said:
The problem is about electric fields towards the beginning of my second quarter of general physics.
There are two equal but opposite charges connected by a conducting wire. the Wire is bent in the shape of a U and there is a massive negative charge (relative to the other two) very close to the bottom of the U shaped wire, very close without touching. (this problem is set up 2 dimensionally if that helps make what I am explaining clearer)

The question is whether or not electrons will flow from the small negative charge at one end of the wire to the small positive charge at the other end. Can I simply sum the vectors of the electric fields of the three charges at any point of the wire using coulomb's law. Or does the wire change the scenario? Can an electric field affect the electrical current in a wire?

My textbook doesn't directly address this and I don't like to make assumptions so I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.
I have been stuck for awhile and would greatly appreciate any help.
Thanks!

I am hoping I explained this clearly. I am not much of a writer so if I truly did a bad job let me know and I can post a picture.

I guess the small nagetive charge will have no effect

the electrons (of wire, if + charge touch the wire) will move towards the + charge and nullify it

the positive charge will be collected at the bottom of U shape of wire closest to negative charge
 
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