Electrostatic Equilibrium Problem

AI Thread Summary
To achieve electrostatic equilibrium with four equal point charges +q at the corners of a square, a central charge must be calculated. The forces exerted by the corner charges on one charge need to be analyzed as vectors. A diagram is essential for visualizing the forces and their directions. Understanding the vector components will help determine the necessary magnitude and sign of the central charge. Properly resolving these forces is crucial for solving the problem effectively.
ommmmm
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Electrostatics Equilibrium Problem-It is required to hold four equal point charges +q each in equilibrium at the corners of a square. Find the point charge that will do this if kept at the center of the square?
I am doing the basics of coulomb's law,can anyone explain this to me?
I cannot do this problem,the problem seems to be complex to me?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Start by drawing a diagram. Pick one of the charges. Figure out what force the other three charges exert on it. (The forces are vectors, so be careful.)

Once you do that you'll be in a better place to figure out what that central charge must be.
 
Sir,what to do about the direction of the vector?
 
ommmmm said:
Sir,what to do about the direction of the vector?
Start by drawing that diagram.
 

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »

Similar threads

How to understand the direction of tension in a charged closed ring?
Replies
11
Views
739
Use of imaginary charge vs Gauss' law
Replies
12
Views
955
Why is source force + electrostatic force = 0 inside battery?
Replies
10
Views
1K
Force between point charges at the center of two spherical shells
Replies
4
Views
2K
Point charge with very thin metal sheet along a spherical surface
Replies
21
Views
2K
Discontinuity in an Electric line of force
Replies
12
Views
2K
Charged conductor in electrostatic equilibrium
Replies
2
Views
3K
Electrostatics (four equal point charges)
Replies
14
Views
2K
Why Is Work Positive When Done Against the Electric Field?
Replies
22
Views
3K
Basic electrostatics problem; analytical solution?
Replies
5
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top