A point charge is placed at the origin

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance · Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Problem

A point charge q1=4.00 nCq_1=4.00\ \text{nC} is placed at the origin, and a second point charge q2=−3.00 nCq_2=-3.00\ \text{nC} is placed on the xx-axis at x=+20.0 cmx=+20.0\ \text{cm}. A third point charge q3=2.00 nCq_3=2.00\ \text{nC} is placed on the xx-axis between q1q_1 and q2q_2. Take the potential energy of the three charges to be zero when they are infinitely far apart. (1) What is the potential energy of the system of the three charges if q3q_3 is placed at x=+10.0 cmx=+10.0\ \text{cm}? (2) Where should q3q_3 be placed to make the potential energy of the system equal to zero?

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