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Charges of ?q and +2q are fixed in place, with a distance of 5.25 m between them

ID: 2150293 • Letter: C

Question

Charges of ?q and +2q are fixed in place, with a distance of 5.25 m between them. A dashed line is drawn through the negative charge, perpendicular to the line between the charges. On the dashed line, at a distance L from the negative charge, there is at least one spot where the total potential is zero. Find L.


Charges of ?q and +2q are fixed in place, with a distance of 5.25 m between them. A dashed line is drawn through the negative charge, perpendicular to the line between the charges. On the dashed line, at a distance L from the negative charge, there is at least one spot where the total potential is zero. Find L.

Explanation / Answer

Potential = KQ/R

At the point of Zero potential

- 9 x 109 x q / L + 9 x 109 x 2q / L2 + 5.252 = 0

9 x 109 x q / L = 9 x 109 x 2q / L2 + 5.252

On solving,

3L2 = 5.252

L = 3.03 m