Two charges +q and -q are placed at a distance d apart. Where can a third charge

Practice Questions

Q1
Two charges +q and -q are placed at a distance d apart. Where can a third charge be placed such that the net force on it is zero?
  1. At a distance d/2 from +q
  2. At a distance d/2 from -q
  3. At a distance greater than d from both
  4. At a distance less than d/2 from both

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

Two charges +q and -q are placed at a distance d apart. Where can a third charge be placed such that the net force on it is zero?
  • Step 1: Understand that we have two charges: +q (positive) and -q (negative) placed at a distance d apart.
  • Step 2: Recognize that a third charge will experience forces due to both +q and -q.
  • Step 3: The force exerted by +q on the third charge will be repulsive (pushing it away) if the third charge is positive, and attractive (pulling it in) if the third charge is negative.
  • Step 4: The force exerted by -q on the third charge will be attractive (pulling it in) if the third charge is positive, and repulsive (pushing it away) if the third charge is negative.
  • Step 5: To find a position where the net force on the third charge is zero, we need to balance the forces from +q and -q.
  • Step 6: Place the third charge between +q and -q, but closer to -q. This way, the attractive force from -q will be stronger than the repulsive force from +q, allowing them to balance out.
  • Step 7: The exact position can be calculated using the formula for electric force, but conceptually, being closer to -q ensures the forces balance.
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