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IP Two point charges lie on the x axis. A charge of +9.9
Chapter 19, Problem 33P(choose chapter or problem)
Problem 33P
IP Two point charges lie on the x axis. A charge of +9.9 μC is at the origin, and a charge of −5.1 μC is at x = 10.0 cm. (a) At what position x would a third charge q3 be in equilibrium? (b) Does your answer to part (a) depend on whether q3 is positive or negative? Explain.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Problem 33P
IP Two point charges lie on the x axis. A charge of +9.9 μC is at the origin, and a charge of −5.1 μC is at x = 10.0 cm. (a) At what position x would a third charge q3 be in equilibrium? (b) Does your answer to part (a) depend on whether q3 is positive or negative? Explain.
ANSWER:
Step 1 of 3
(a)
Here we need to calculate the position at which the charge is at equilibrium between the charges and separated by a distance .
Let the location of null point be from charge 1, so the distance of null point from charge 2 will be . Also at null point, the net force on charge 3 will be zero.
To achieve zero net force on charge 3,we need to have forces in opposite direction with equal magnitude,
Using coulomb’s law,