What is the relation between $Q$ and $q$ for which the potential at center of the square is zero. It is given that, four – point charges $ - Q, - q,2q$ and $2Q$ are placed one at each corner of the square.
(A) $Q = q$
(B) $Q = \dfrac{1}{q}$
(C) $Q = - q$
(D) $Q = - \dfrac{1}{q}$
Answer
302.4k+ views
Hint: Construct the square illustrating the four charges at each corner. Now, use the formula of potential difference for each charge and add them with each other and make them equal to zero.
Formula used The potential difference of the system for a point charge can be calculated by the formula –
$V = \dfrac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}\dfrac{Q}{r}$
where, $Q$ is the charge, and
$r$ is the distance of point
Complete Step by Step Solution
According to the question, it is given that, there are four – point charges $ - Q, - q,2q$ and $2Q$ which are placed at each corner of the square. So, this can be illustrated in the figure as below –

Let the side of the square be $a$ then, the length of each corner from the center will be $\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}$.
Now, we know that, the potential difference of the system can be given by the formula –
$V = \dfrac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}\dfrac{Q}{r}$
As, $\dfrac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}$ is constant. So, let $\dfrac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}$ be $K$
Hence, -
$ \Rightarrow V = \dfrac{{KQ}}{r}$
Now, the potential at the centre of square from each charge can be given by –
$V = \dfrac{{K\left( { - Q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( { - q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( {2q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( {2Q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}}$
As it is given in question that potential at centre of square is equal to zero. So, $V = 0$
$
\therefore \dfrac{{K\left( { - Q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( { - q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( {2q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( {2Q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} = 0 \\
\Rightarrow - KQ - Kq + 2Kq + 2Kq = 0 \\
\Rightarrow Kq + KQ = 0 \\
\therefore Q = - q \\
$
Now, we got the relation between the charges $Q$ and $q$ as $Q = - q$.
Hence, the correct option is (C).
Note: Potential difference between two points is the work done in moving a unit positive charge between the two points. Its S.I unit is V.
The diagonal of the square can be calculated by multiplying the side of the square with $\sqrt 2 $. So, the length of each corner from the centre of square will be –
$
\Rightarrow \dfrac{{a\sqrt 2 }}{2} \\
\therefore \dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }} \\
$
$\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}$ is equal to the half of the diagonal of the square.
Formula used The potential difference of the system for a point charge can be calculated by the formula –
$V = \dfrac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}\dfrac{Q}{r}$
where, $Q$ is the charge, and
$r$ is the distance of point
Complete Step by Step Solution
According to the question, it is given that, there are four – point charges $ - Q, - q,2q$ and $2Q$ which are placed at each corner of the square. So, this can be illustrated in the figure as below –

Let the side of the square be $a$ then, the length of each corner from the center will be $\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}$.
Now, we know that, the potential difference of the system can be given by the formula –
$V = \dfrac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}\dfrac{Q}{r}$
As, $\dfrac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}$ is constant. So, let $\dfrac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}$ be $K$
Hence, -
$ \Rightarrow V = \dfrac{{KQ}}{r}$
Now, the potential at the centre of square from each charge can be given by –
$V = \dfrac{{K\left( { - Q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( { - q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( {2q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( {2Q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}}$
As it is given in question that potential at centre of square is equal to zero. So, $V = 0$
$
\therefore \dfrac{{K\left( { - Q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( { - q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( {2q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} + \dfrac{{K\left( {2Q} \right)}}{{\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}}} = 0 \\
\Rightarrow - KQ - Kq + 2Kq + 2Kq = 0 \\
\Rightarrow Kq + KQ = 0 \\
\therefore Q = - q \\
$
Now, we got the relation between the charges $Q$ and $q$ as $Q = - q$.
Hence, the correct option is (C).
Note: Potential difference between two points is the work done in moving a unit positive charge between the two points. Its S.I unit is V.
The diagonal of the square can be calculated by multiplying the side of the square with $\sqrt 2 $. So, the length of each corner from the centre of square will be –
$
\Rightarrow \dfrac{{a\sqrt 2 }}{2} \\
\therefore \dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }} \\
$
$\dfrac{a}{{\sqrt 2 }}$ is equal to the half of the diagonal of the square.
Recently Updated Pages
If the magnetizing field on a ferromagnetic material class 12 physics JEE_Main

A point charge is placed at the corner of a cube The class 12 physics JEE_Main

What changes occur if the monochromatic light used class 12 physics JEE_Main

The unit of specific conductance is A Ohm B Ohmmetre class 12 physics JEE_Main

Which lens is used in magnifying glass A Concave lens class 12 physics JEE_Main

Sir C V Raman won the Nobel Prize in which year A 1928 class 12 physics JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Understanding Uniform Acceleration in Physics

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Other Pages
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026: Download SET-wise PDF with Answer Key & Analysis

JEE Advanced Percentile vs Marks 2026: JEE Main Cutoff, AIR & IIT Admission Guide

Hybridisation in Chemistry – Concept, Types & Applications

What Are Current and Potential Difference in Electricity?

What Are Elastic Collisions in One Dimension?

Understanding Collisions: Types and Examples for Students

