Three point charges of equal magnitude are fixed on a straight line as follows: •…

PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Electric Force Field and Potential · Electric Force Field and Potential

Problem

Three point charges of equal magnitude

q

are fixed on a straight line as follows: • Charge A:

+q

x = 0

• Charge B:

-q

x = 0.50\,\text{m}

• Charge C:

+q

x = 1.00\,\text{m}

A small positive test charge

q_0

is placed at

x = 0.75\,\text{m}

. Without doing explicit calculations, rank the magnitudes of the individual electric forces exerted on

q_0

by charges A, B, and C from greatest to least. (a)

F_A > F_B = F_C

(b)

F_C > F_A > F_B

(c)

F_B = F_C > F_A

(d)

F_B > F_A > F_C