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

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Question: 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?

Options:

Correct Answer: At a distance d/2 from -q

Solution:

The third charge must be placed between +q and -q, closer to -q to balance the forces.

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?

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.

Coulomb's Law – The force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Equilibrium of Forces – For a charge to experience zero net force, the forces acting on it must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
Charge Placement – The placement of the third charge must consider the relative magnitudes and signs of the existing charges to achieve equilibrium.