Understanding Point Charges: Same Sign, Different Magnitudes?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a problem involving three point charges at the corners of a square, where the goal is to achieve a net electric field of zero at the empty corner. It is clarified that the charges cannot all have the same sign; instead, they must have different signs to balance the electric fields. Specifically, one charge should be of one type (positive or negative) while the other two should be of the opposite type. The direction of the electric field, influenced by the sign of the charges, is crucial for achieving equilibrium. The conclusion emphasizes that understanding the vector nature of electric fields is key to solving the problem correctly.
smunger81
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Please Help!

I would really appreciate some help on this one...I'm pretty sure I'm making it harder than it is...

The question is this - "Three point charges are fixed to the corners of a square, one to a corner, in such a way that the net electric field at the empty corner is zero. Do these charges all have the same sign or the same magnitude but perhaps different signs?"

My answer is the charges would have the same sign and different magnitudes because when calculating net electric fields the sign of the charge is not taken into account...is this right?

Any advice would be fabulous! Thank you!
 
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Sorry,
Let the empty corner is the origin and the three other points are (0, -a) (-a, 0) and (-a,-a). If all charges are having same sign (say +) then the forces are along y, x and bisector of x and y respectively. hence the charges must have different sign.

Actually the diagonally opposite corner must have one type of charge and the others have opposite type of charges.

Negative sign of the charge changes the direction of electric field which is a vector quantity.
 
Thank you for your help. I was making it waay to hard.
 

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