Four equal negative point charges are located at the corners of a square, their positions in the xy-plane being (1, 1), (-1, 1), (-1, -1), (1, -1). The electric field on the x-axis at (1, 0) points in the same direction as

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since all the charges are negative, the electric field will point towards the charges. The charges at (-1,1) and (-1,-1) will create the largest field in the x direction due to their proximity to the point (1,0) on the x-axis. The fields from these two charges will add constructively in the x direction. The charges at (1,1) and (1,-1) will create equal fields in opposite directions in the x direction, which will cancel each other out. Therefore, the net electric field on the x-axis at (1,0) points in the same direction as the field due to the charges at (-1,1) and (-1,-1), which is a vector in the -x direction. Hence, the correct answer is C.

Four Equal Negative Point Charges Are Located at the Corners