The diagrams below depict four different charge distributions. The charged particles are all the same distance from the origin. The electric field at the origin:
A) is least for situation 1
B) is greatest for situation 3
C) is zero for situation 4
D) is downward for situation 1
E) is downward for situation 3

Question

The diagrams below depict four different charge distributions. The charged particles are all the same distance from the origin. The electric field at the origin: 
A) is least for situation 1 
B) is greatest for situation 3 
C) is zero for situation 4 
D) is downward for situation 1 
E) is downward for situation 3

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Situation 4 depicts a point charge at the origin, meaning that the electric field at the origin is zero.

The Diagrams Below Depict Four Different Charge Distributions