Two point charges and are fixed apart in vacuum along the –axis

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Electric Charges and Fields · Electric Charges and Fields

Problem

Two point charges

q_1=+4\,\mu\text{C}

and

q_2=+1\,\mu\text{C}

are fixed

0.60\,\text{m}

apart in vacuum along the

x

–axis, the larger charge being at the origin and the smaller at

x=0.60\,\text{m}

. (i) Write the equation that must be solved to locate a point

P

on the

x

–axis where the net electric field is zero. Use an unknown coordinate

x

measured from the origin. (ii) Solve the equation obtained in part (i) to calculate the numerical value of

x

(in metres) where the electric field vanishes. (iii) State clearly whether the point

P

lies between the two charges or outside the interval separating them. Give a brief reason for your choice.