In: Physics
a) A charge of 1C is affixed to the x axis at 20cm and a charge of 4C is affixed at -10cm, where must a charge of -10C be placed in order to have zero electrostatic force on it?
b) If instead, a charge of -3C is placed somewhere on the x-axis, where must it be placed so that the origin (0,0) will experience zero electric field?
Please include detailed NEAT explanation.
a)
Let distance between charge 1 C and -10C be x
and distance between charge 4 C and -10C be (30-x)cm
We know
-----------
==============
=================
In order to have Zero electrostatic force on charge-10C ,Forces F1 and F2 should be equal
Solve quadratic equation using a calculator
========
ANSWER:Charge -10C must be placed at +10cm on the x axis
===================================
b)If instead, a charge of -3C is placed somewhere on the x-axis, where must it be placed so that the origin (0,0) will experience zero electric field?
First find electric field from charges 1C and 4C
We know
=================
===============
First find net electric field at origin without -3C
in the same direction as E2
so -3C must be placed in -x axis to counter the electric field and the value must be equal to E
ANSWER:
ANSWER:Charge -3C must be placed at -8.94cm on the -x axis
==============