Cube with charges at each vertex

2 replies · 2K views · last reply
archaic
Messages
688
Reaction score
214
Homework Statement
Determine an expression for the magnitude of the electric field at the center of any face of the cube.
Relevant Equations
$$E=k\frac{q}{r^2}$$
Diagram of a cube with a charge q at each of its eight vertices, edges labelled s, with x, y and z axes drawn from one corner.
For convenience, I take the center of the upper face.
The charges at the top cancel each other's effects, and those at the bottom cancel each other's horizontal effects, so I get$$E=4k\frac{q}{r^2}\sin\theta$$I have found that ##\theta=\arcsin\left(\frac{s}{r}\right)=\arcsin{\sqrt\frac{2}{3}}##, with ##r=\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}s##:$$E=4\frac{2}{3}\sqrt\frac23k\frac{q}{s^2}=\frac{8\sqrt6}{9}k\frac{q}{s^2}$$
Correct, right?
 
Last edited:
The method looks right, but I think you have dropped a factor of ##\sqrt{2}## in your very final answer.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: archaic
etotheipi said:
The method looks right, but I think you have dropped a factor of ##\sqrt{2}## in your very final answer.
should have been ##\sqrt6## instead of ##\sqrt3##. thanks, corrected!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: etotheipi