Academic Integrity: tutoring, explanations, and feedback — we don’t complete graded work or submit on a student’s behalf.

Consider the arrangement of two fixed point charges, equal in magnitude, shown i

ID: 250284 • Letter: C

Question

Consider the arrangement of two fixed point charges, equal in magnitude, shown in the figure. Which of the following statements are correct for the initial motion of a third charge if it is released from rest in the vicinity of the two charges shown?

A negative charge at point e will accelerate up.

A positive charge at point d will accelerate up.

A positive charge at point b will accelerate up.

A positive charge at point a will accelerate toward the lower-left.

A negative charge at point c will accelerate toward the lower-right.

Explanation / Answer

A negative charge at D will be repulsed by the negatively charged point. A negative charge at e will be attracted to the positively charged point. B will be both attracted to the positive point and repulsed by the negative. If I draw vectors, the vector sum of A is on the top left and for C, it is on the lower right.

1.A positive charge at point d will accelerate up. FALSE, down
2.A negative charge at point e will accelerate up. TRUE
3.A positive charge at point b will accelerate up. TRUE
4.A negative charge at point a will accelerate toward the lower-right. TRUE
5.A positive charge at point c will accelerate toward the lower-left. FALSE, upper right