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Amin2014
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Assuming the point charge lies at the origin, what is the electric field at the origin? Zero or undefined?
I checked some books and you are right. However, I don't understand why we can't we just assign it a value of zero? After all, the charge cannot apply force on itself.BvU said:undefined
No, but it can apply force on a test charge, however close it comes...Amin2014 said:After all, the charge cannot apply force on itself
BvU said:There is the issue of size. Equal to zero for a point. Zero E would mean constant potential over some region with size. Contradiction !
I was validating your answer and completing it. The field would be zero only if the charge has dimensions.BvU said:Same difference: you refer to Gauss theorem: some charge density times zero volume. Doesn't fly when charge is within zero volume.
A point charge is a hypothetical charge that has a mass but no physical size. It is often used in physics to simplify calculations and understand the behavior of electric fields.
An electric field is a region in space where an electrically charged particle experiences a force. It is represented by a vector that describes the direction and strength of the force at any given point.
The electric field of a point charge is calculated using the equation E = kQ/r^2, where E is the electric field, k is the Coulomb's constant, Q is the charge of the point charge, and r is the distance from the point charge.
The electric field of a point charge always points away from a positive charge and towards a negative charge. This is because like charges repel each other and opposite charges attract each other.
The electric field of a point charge exerts a force on other charged particles in its vicinity. The magnitude and direction of the force depend on the charge and position of the other particle relative to the point charge. This force can cause the particle to accelerate or change direction.