In: Physics
Consider three point charges q1=q2=q3=Q. If q1 and q2 are located on the Y-axis at y=+a and y= -a and the third charge is located at a point x on the X-axis. (a) find the force E exerted by q1 and q2 on q3 when q3 is located at the origin (b) what is the force F on q3 when q3 is located at an arbitrary value of x on the X-axis? (c) for what value of x is the force F on q3 a maximum? Hint. The notation F means that you need to find the magnitude and direction of the electric force.
Force between two charged particles having equal charge ' Q ' and separated by a distance r is given by
The force F exerted by q1 on q3 when q3 is located at the origin is
The force F exerted by q2 on q3 when q3 is located at the origin is
Net force on the charge q3 is zero (because the direction of force in both the cases is opposite).
(b) When the charge q3 is at x.
Force due to q1 is
Force due to q2 is
The vertical component of the force will be canceled out , only the horizontal component will contribute to net force
Where,
So,
(c)
For force to be maximum
or,
or,
or,
The force will be maximum at this point.
For any doubt please comment.