A positive point charge is located to the left of a negative point charge. When

Question

A positive point charge is located to the left of a negative point charge. When both charges have the same magnitude, there is no place on the line passing through both charges where the net electric field due to the two charges is zero. Suppose, however, that the negative charge has a greater magnitude than the positive charge. On which part of the line, if any, is a place of zero net electric field now located? (a) To the left of the positive charge (b) Between the two charges (c) To the right of the negative charge (d) There is no zero place.

Please explain why.

Explanation / Answer

A postive charge creates an electric field pointing furthar away from it.

A negative charge creates an electric field pointing towards it so:

*In the middle it cannot be, because both charges generate an electric field towards the negative charge (Not zero)

*To the right of the negative charge cannot be also, because the value of the electric field generated by the negative charge will be much bigger than that generated from the positive charge

*The answer is to the left of the positive charge, because the negative charge will try to pull that point, and the positive charge will try to push it. Because the negative charge is bigger than the positive charge, there might be a point where the electric field generated by both of them is the same, so the net electric field will be zero.

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