Question

Consider two charges, where one (+2.50 nC) is at the origin and the other (-6.25 nC) is at the position x = 2.90 cm. Find the x-coordinate where a proton would experience zero net force.Consider two charges, where one (+2.50 nC) is at the origin and the other (-6.25 nC) is at the position x = 2.90 cm. Find the x-coordinate where a proton would experience zero net force.

Answer 1

x = - 5 cm

Step-by-step explanation:

As we know that here the two charges are of opposite sign

So the electric field will be zero due to both charges at the position near to the smaller magnitude charge on the other side of the line joining two charges

so let say the position where proton will experience no force is left side of origin at distance "x" so we have

`(kq_1)/(x^2) = (kq_2)/((r+x)^2)`

now we have

`(2.50 nC)/(x^2) = (6.25 nC)/((2.90 + x)^2)`

square root both sides

`(1)/(x) = (1.58)/((2.90 + x))`

so we have

`2.90 + x = 1.58 x`

`x = 5 cm`

so the position lies at left side of origin so its x coordinate is x = - 5 cm