Daily Physics 350 Problems
2/8 Assignment:
The following questions questions refer to the material
you were to read in preparation for class. Questions one and two require you to
write a three or four sentence response.
1.
"Earnshaw's
Theorem" states that it is impossible to hold a point charge in stable
equilibrium by electrostatic forces alone. Which of the following statements
justifies this theorem?
-
a) The electric force is conservative.
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b) Solutions to Laplace's equation have no local maxima or minima.
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c) Solutions to Laplace's equation for a given set of boundary
conditions are unique.
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d) A charge in stable equilibrium would violate the second law of
thermodynamics.