Two point charges are placed on a horizontal line, the first is _2.0-mu C locate

Question

Two point charges are placed on a horizontal line, the first is _2.0-mu C located at x = 0.0-m, y = 0.0-m and the second is -3.0-mu C located at x = 1.0-m, y = 0.0-m. At what points on the horizontal line y = 0.0 will the electric potential be zero? In the following four boxes, enter your x positions in meters, from most positive to least positive. There are not necessarily four positions of zero potential Enter zero for any remaining boxes. Example: if you found the electric potential was zero at x = 1.2, 0.5 and -1 m: you would enter |1.2| |0. 5| |-1| |0| into the four boxes. Most positive ____ ____ ____ ____ Least Positive

Explanation / Answer

For the 2 charges, find potential of each charge and apply principle of superposition to find combined potential.

For charge Q1=+2microC, V1=kQ1/r1 and for charge Q2=-3microC, V2=kQ2/r2

Where k=1/4*pi*epsilon

r1= distance of point from Q1

r2= distance of point from Q2

So, for a point where potential V is zero, V=V1+V2=0

So, V1+V2= 0

kQ1/r1 + kQ2/r2 = 0

Or, 2/r1 - 3/r2 = 0. (A)

For any point between the charges, for zero potential on y = 0, r1 + r2 =1

From above two relations, r1 = 0.4, so the point is .4, 0

For any point beyond Q1, r2= r1 + 1, where magnitude of distance is taken

From A and above relation, r1 = 2m so the point is -2, 0

For any point beyond Q2, r1=r2+1

From A above relation, which gives r1=-2m , which is already been obtained,

so there are two points in the x axis where the electric potential is zero. The values are |0.4| , |-2| , |0| and |0|

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.