Electricity: Static Electricity

Static Electricity: Audio Guided Solution

Problem 30:

Four positive charges are positioned in such a manner than they form a square with sides which are 5.0 cm long. A 3.0 μC charge is placed at the (0 cm, 0 cm) mark. A 9.0 μC charge is placed at the (0 cm, 5 cm) mark, a 3 μC charge is placed at the (5 cm, 5 cm) mark, and a 6.0 μC charge is placed at the (5 cm, 0cm) mark. Determine the magnitude and direction of the electric field at the exact center of the square.

Audio Guided Solution

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Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

  • Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
  • Identify the known and unknown quantities; record them in an organized manner. A diagram is a great place to record such information. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., Q1 = 2.4 μC; Q2 = 3.8 μC; d = 1.8 m; Felect = ???.
  • Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
  • Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
  • Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

Read About It!

Get more information on the topic of Static Electricity at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

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