(a)The electric field at the center of the square formed by the four charges is equal to

zero.
The electric field at the center of the square due to the charge at the origin is,
kQ
E1 2
r
Here, r is the distance of the center of the square from each corner of the square.
The electric field at the center of the square due to the charge at the x axis is,
kQ
E2 2
r
The electric field at the center of the square due to the charge at the y axis is,
kQ
E3 2
r
The electric field at the center of the square due to the charge at the xy plane is,
kQ
E4 2
r
Hence, the total electric field at the center is square is,
r r r
r r
E E1 E2 E3 E4

E1 x E1 y E2 x E2 y E3 x E3 y E4 x E4 y
E1 E2 E3 E4 x E1 E2 E3 E4 y

Substituting the values of E1 , E2 , E3 , and E4 in the above equation, we get

r kQ kQ kQ kQ kQ kQ kQ kQ

E 2 2 2 2 x 2 2 2 2 y
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
0 x 0 y
0
Hence, the electric field is zero at the center of the square.

a
a
y
2 and
2 is zero. This can be proved as follows.
(b)The electric potential at
The electric potential at the center of the square due to the charge at the origin is,
kQ
V1
r
Here, r is the distance of the center of the square from each corner of the square.
x

The electric potential at the center of the square due to the charge at the x axis is,
kQ
V2
r
The electric potential at the center of the square due to the charge at the y axis is,
kQ
V3
r
The electric potential at the center of the square due to the charge at the xy plane is,
kQ
V4
r

Therefore, the electric potential at

V V1 V2 V3 V4
kQ kQ kQ kQ

r
r
r
r
0

a
a
y
2 and
2 x f or center of the square is,