In each of the four diagrams below, positive and negative charges of identical m

Question

In each of the four diagrams below, positive and negative charges of identical magnitude are fixed to the corners of a square.

In each of the four diagrams below, positive and negative charges of identical magnitude are fixed to the corners of a square. Rank the diagram in order of increasing total electric field strength at the center of the square. Indicate any ties by assigning identical rankings. You have provided an invalid ranking. Please refer to help on ranking problems Tries 1/4 Previous Tries

Explanation / Answer

1) look at the diagrams and look for canceling pairs, then evaluate what's left. E.g., in A and B, all the + charges can be paired with - charges so V(center) = 0. Not true in bottom row, where there's only 1 canceling pair in D. 4 contributing charges are left in C, 2 in D.
2) look for paths from + to -. Direction is important. In A, paths are in the same direction so they add. They cancel in B. In C, all fields cancel, and in D, 1 diagonal pair contributes.

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