A positive charge q is placed on the y -axis at the location y = a. Another posi

Question

A positive charge q is placed on the y -axis at the location y = a. Another positive charge is placed on the y -axis at the location y = -a. A third, negative charge -q is placed on the x -axis at location P. Which of the following statements about the electric force on the charge at point P is correct? A.) Because of symmetry, there is no x-component to the electric force B) Because of symmetry, there is no y-component to the electric force C) Even though there is symmetry, there are still both x- and y-components to the electric force D.) There is no symmetry to this problem

Explanation / Answer

The correct answer is option (B) . Because of symmetry, there is no y-component of the electric force

This is becasue if we consider the free body diagram of charge at point P, the vertical componets of the forces to positive charges at y=a and y=-a will be of equal magnitude but opposite in direction. However, the force in the x componets will be of equal magnitude and in same direction(towards negative x direction). Therefore ,they will add up.

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