Two equal positive charges are placed at opposite corners of a square. The magnitude of the electric force on a proton would be zero at the center of the square, as the forces would cancel out, but have a finite value at one of the empty corners. Similarly, the electric field would be zero at the center but finite at the corners. The electric potential would be highest at the center of the square, as the potential is lowest where the distance between charges is greatest.

1. se to compare these situations. A charge of +q and a charge of +q are placed at opposite corners
of a square Situation 1 Situation 2 The magnitude of the electric force on a proton placed at one
of the empty comers The magnitude of the electric field at one The magnitude of the electric
force on a proton placed in the center of the square The magnitude of the electric field at the
center of the square The electric potential at the center of the of the empty corners The electric
potential at one of the empty corners +9
Solution
1. >, since force is a vector quantity, at center the forces would cancel out and it would be zero.
where as it would have a finite magnitude in the corners.
2. >, since electric field is also a vector quantity, at center the it would cancel out and it would be
zero. where as it would have a finite magnitude in the corners.
3.<, now potential is a scalar quantity =(kq/r). now since distance from center to corner is less
than that from corner to corner, net value of potential at center would be higher than that at
corner.