Photo AI

Four positive charges are fixed at the corners of a square as shown - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 22 - 2018 - Paper 2

Question icon

Question 22

Four-positive-charges-are-fixed-at-the-corners-of-a-square-as-shown-AQA-A-Level Physics-Question 22-2018-Paper 2.png

Four positive charges are fixed at the corners of a square as shown. The total potential at the centre of the square, a distance $d$ from each charge, is $ rac{5Q}{... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Four positive charges are fixed at the corners of a square as shown - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 22 - 2018 - Paper 2

Step 1

What is the total potential at the center due to the three charges?

96%

114 rated

Answer

The total potential ( V_{total} ) at the center caused by the three charges of +Q+Q each is calculated using the formula for electric potential: V=kqrV = k \sum \frac{q}{r} Given that each charge contributes equally at the center of the square, we have: Vtotal=3(kQd)=3kQdV_{total} = 3 \left( \frac{kQ}{d} \right) = \frac{3kQ}{d} where k=14πϵ0.k = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}. Thus, substituting for kk gives: Vtotal=3Qd14πϵ0=3Q4πϵ0d V_{total} = \frac{3Q}{d} \cdot \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} = \frac{3Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 d}

Step 2

Calculate the total potential including the fourth charge.

99%

104 rated

Answer

Let the charge of the fourth charge be Q4Q_4. The total potential at the center due to all four charges is: Vfinal=3Q4πϵ0d+kQ4dV_{final} = \frac{3Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 d} + \frac{kQ_4}{d} Since we know from the question that the total potential is also: Vfinal=5Q4πϵ0dV_{final} = \frac{5Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 d} Equating these two expressions gives: 3Q4πϵ0d+kQ4d=5Q4πϵ0d\frac{3Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 d} + \frac{kQ_4}{d} = \frac{5Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 d} Rearranging this leads to: kQ4d=5Q4πϵ0d3Q4πϵ0d\frac{kQ_4}{d} = \frac{5Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 d} - \frac{3Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 d} Which simplifies to: kQ4d=2Q4πϵ0d\frac{kQ_4}{d} = \frac{2Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 d} Thus: Q4=2Q4πϵ0dk=2Q4πϵ0d14πϵ0=2QQ_4 = \frac{2Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \cdot \frac{d}{k} = \frac{2Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \cdot \frac{d}{\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}} = 2Q

Join the A-Level students using SimpleStudy...

97% of Students

Report Improved Results

98% of Students

Recommend to friends

100,000+

Students Supported

1 Million+

Questions answered

;