Question

(a) Twelve equal charges, q, are situated at the corners of a regular 12-sided polygon (for instance, one on each numeral of a clock face). What is the net force on a test charge Q at the center?

(b) Suppose one of the 12 q’s is removed (the one at “6 o’clock”). What is the force on Q? Explain your reasoning carefully.

(c) Now 13 equal charges, q, are placed at the corners of a regular 13-sided polygon. What is the force on a test charge Q at the center?

(d) If one of the 13 q’s is removed, what is the force on Q? Explain your reasoning.