Identical point charges of +1.6 μC are fixed to diagonally opposite corners of a square. A third charge is then fixed at the center of the square, such that it causes the potentials at the empty corners to change signs without changing magnitudes. Find the sign and magnitude of the third charge.

Explanation:

given two charges

let A , B, C, D are the corner where C and D are empty so we consider potential at  C due to  A and B is

using

thus we have

  ...................(2)

let  charge is placed at the center of two charge q  as shown in figure

from Pythagoras  we get

we get

........(3)

according to question such that it causes the potentials at the empty corners to change signs without changing magnitudes. from first and third equation

on solving we get

find the surface area of the sphere to the nearest square unit. use a calculator.

a. 254 in.2

b. 64 in.2

c. 127 in.2

d. 1,018 in.2