Question

Two point charges lie on the x−axis. A charge of +9.60μC is at the origin, and a charge of −5.01μC is at x=15.0cm. At what position x would a third charge q3 be in equilibrium, provided that q3 is positive. At what position x would a third charge q3 be in equilibrium provided that q3 is negative?

Answer 1

To achieve equilibrium with a positive third charge, it should be placed to the left of the origin charge. For a negative third charge, it should be placed to the right of the origin charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order for a third charge q3 to be in equilibrium, the net force on it must be zero. This means that the electrical forces produced by the other two charges must cancel out. Since q3 is positive, it would experience a repulsive force from the +9.60μC charge at the origin. To cancel out this repulsive force, a third charge q3 would need to be placed to the left of the +9.60μC charge at a position less than 15.0 cm.

If q3 is negative, it would experience an attractive force towards the +9.60μC charge at the origin. To cancel out this attractive force, a third charge q3 would need to be placed to the right of the +9.60μC charge at a position greater than 15.0 cm.