FIGURE 19-9
-Three equal point charges are placed at three of the corners of a square of side d as shown in Figure 19-9. Which of the arrows shown represents the direction of the net electric field at the center of the square?

Question

FIGURE 19-9 
-Three equal point charges are placed at three of the corners of a square of side d as shown in Figure 19-9. Which of the arrows shown represents the direction of the net electric field at the center of the square?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The electric fields due to the point charges along the diagonal of the square cancel each other out due to their equal magnitudes and opposite directions, leaving only the electric fields along the sides of the square. Using vector addition, we can see that the net electric field at the center of the square points in the direction of choice C.

FIGURE 19-9 -Three Equal Point Charges Are Placed at Three of the Three