Three equal negative charges are placed at three of the four corners of a square. The direction of the electric field at the remaining corner of the square is
A) along a side of the square toward one of the charges.
B) along a side of the square away from one of the charges.
C) along the line connecting this corner with the opposite corner, and toward that corner.
D) along the line connecting this corner with the opposite corner, but away from that corner.
E) no direction, zero field.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the charges are negative, the electric field points toward each charge. Therefore, at the remaining corner of the square, the electric fields from the two adjacent charges cancel each other out along the sides of the square. The only remaining electric field is along the line connecting this corner with the opposite corner, and toward that corner.

Three Equal Negative Charges Are Placed at Three of the Four