**Step 1: Analyze Electric Field Contributions from Each Charge** - The electric field from a positive charge (+Q) points **away** from the charge, while from a negative charge (−Q) it points **towards** the charge. - At point A: - The two +Q charges on the left and right are **equidistant** from A. Their electric field components **along the horizontal (x-axis)** cancel each other out because they are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. - Their **vertical components** both point **upwards** (away from the charges and towards A). - The −Q charge below A produces an electric field **towards itself**, i.e., **downwards** at point A. **Step 2: Combine the Electric Field Vectors** - The upward field from the +Q charges is **added together** (since both point up), and the downward field from the −Q is **subtracted** from this sum. - Since the −Q is the **same distance** from A as the +Q charges and has the **same magnitude** but is opposite in sign, its field is **stronger than the sum of the upward components** (since it is not split into components like the +Q charges). - The **net electric field** at A will therefore be **downward**. **Final Answer:** - The correct vector is **f)** — straight downward. **Explanation Summary:** - Step 1: Horizontal fields from the +Q charges cancel; vertical fields add up (upwards). - Step 2: The downward pull from the −Q charge is stronger, so the net field is downward (**f**).

Let's analyze the problem step by step to determine the direction of the electric field at point A. **Step 1: Understand the contributions from each charge** - **Charges involved:** - Two positive charges (+Q) placed symmetrically on the left and right. - One negative charge (−Q) placed below point A. - **Direction of electric field due to each charge:** - Positive charges (+Q): electric field vectors point **away** from the charges. - Negative charge (−Q): electric field vector points **toward** the charge. - **At point A:** - The two +Q charges are at equal distances on either side horizontally. - The electric field from each +Q at A: - Points **away** from each +Q. - Horizontal components of these fields are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, so they **cancel out**. - Vertical components of these fields are **both directed upward** (since the fields point away from the positive charges, which are to the sides, the vertical components at A point upwards). - **Electric field from the −Q charge:** - The field points **toward** the negative charge, which is below A. - Therefore, at A, the electric field due to −Q points **downward**. --- **Step 2: Combine the electric field vectors** - The **horizontal components** from the two +Q charges cancel out. - The **vertical components** from the +Q charges **add up**, pointing **upwards**. - The electric field due to the −Q charge points **downward**. - **Compare magnitudes:** - The upward components from the two +Q charges are equal and add constructively. - The downward field from −Q is **stronger or weaker** depending on distances, but typically, since it is a single negative charge beneath A, its field at A points downward. **Conclusion:** - The upward fields from +Q charges and the downward field from −Q charge combine. - Given the symmetry, the downward field from −Q dominates or balances the upward component depending on distances. **Final Answer:** - The net electric field at point A points **downward**. - Therefore, the correct vector is **option (f)** — pointing downward. --- **Summary:** - Horizontal components cancel. - Vertical components from +Q charges point up. - The negative charge produces a downward field. - The net electric field at A points **downward**. **Note:** The mention "there is no vertical component for +Q" in your comment is incorrect because the vertical components from +Q charges do exist and add upwards at point A.