Question

Two charges lie on the x axis, +3q at the origin, and -2q at x = 5.0 m. The point on the x axis where the electric potential has a zero value (when the value at infinity is also zero) is

a. 1.0 m.
b. 2.0 m.
c. 2.5 m.
d. 3.0 m.
e. 4.0 m.

Answer 1

The point on the x-axis where the electric potential has a zero value is approximately 1.875 meters.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the point on the x-axis where the electric potential is zero, we need to calculate the electric potential at various points and see where it equals zero. The electric potential due to a point charge is given by the equation: V = k * q / r, where V is the electric potential, k is Coulomb's constant, q is the charge, and r is the distance from the charge. Setting up the equation for the positive charge at the origin (+3q) and the negative charge at x = 5.0 m (-2q), we can find the point where the electric potential is zero.

For the positive charge at the origin, the electric potential is V₁ = k * (3q) / x₁, where x₁ is the distance from the origin. For the negative charge at x = 5.0 m, the electric potential is V₂ = k * (-2q) / x₂, where x₂ is the distance from the charge at x = 5.0 m.

Setting V₁ + V₂ to zero and solving for x, we get x = (15/8) meters, which is equal to 1.875 meters. Therefore, the point on the x-axis where the electric potential is zero is approximately 1.875 meters.