Introduction to Electrodynamics · Problem 2.59

Electrostatics — David J. Griffiths

Physics · conductor-force-field-reversal

Problem

Prove or disprove (with a counterexample) the following Theorem: Suppose a conductor carrying a net charge QQ, when placed in an external electric field Ee\mathbf{E}_e, experiences a force F\mathbf{F}; if the external field is now reversed (Ee→−Ee\mathbf{E}_e \to -\mathbf{E}_e), the force also reverses (F→−F\mathbf{F} \to -\mathbf{F}). What if we stipulate that the external field is uniform?

Related theory

Browse the problem library