When a point charge of +q is placed on one corner of a square, an electric field strength of 2 n/c is observed at the center of the square. suppose three identical charges of +q are placed on the remaining three corners of the square. what is the magnitude of the net electric field at the center of the square? a. the magnitude of the net electric field at the center of the square is 6 n/c. b. the magnitude of the net electric field at the center of the square is 0 n/c. c. the magnitude of the net electric field at the center of the square is 4 n/c. d. the magnitude of the net electric field at the center of the square is 8 n/c. e. the magnitude of the net electric field at the center of the square is 2 n/c.

The magnitude of the net electric field at the center of the square is 0 N/C

Electric charge consists of two types i.e. positively electric charge and negatively electric charge.

There was a famous scientist who investigated about this charges. His name is Coulomb and succeeded in formulating the force of attraction or repulsion between two charges i.e. :

F = electric force (N)

E = electric field strength (N/C)

k = electric constant (N m² / C²)

q = electric charge (C)

r = distance between charges (m)

The value of k in a vacuum = 9 x 10⁹ (N m² / C²)

Let's tackle the problem now !

Given:

electric field strength of a point charge = 2 N/C

point charge = +q C

Asked:

magnitude of the net electric field = E = ?

Solution:

Let's illustrate this problem as shown in the attachment.

Each of the identical charges will produce electric field strength of 2 N/C at the center of the square.

The direction of the electric field strength of each of the point charges is such that it will cancel each other out. Therefore the magnitude of the net electric field at the center of the square is 0 N/C.

Grade: High School

Subject: Physics

Chapter: Static Electricity