Question

cle 2 of charge 4.00q are held at separation L 9.00 cm on an x axis. If particle 3 of charge q3 is to be located such that the three particles remain in place when released, what must be the (a) x and (b) y coordinates of particle 3, and (c) the ratio q3 /q

Answer 1

x=L/2 y=0 and the charge q3 is ¼ of the charge q

Step-by-step explanation:

For this exercise we will use Coulomb's law.

F₁₂ = k q₁ q₂ / r₁₂²

From this expression we see that like charges repel and charges of different signs attract.

Let's apply this expression to our case, they indicate that the two charges are of equal magnitude and sign, therefore the force is repulsive, so that it is in equilibrium with a third charge (q₃) this must be of the opposite sign and be between the two charge (q)

let's apply Newton's second law to one of the charges, for example the one on the left

-F₁₂ + F₁₃ = 0

F₁₂ = F₁₃

k q₁ q₂ / r₁₂² = k q₁ q₃ / r₁₃²

q₂ / r₁₂² = q₃ / r₁₃²

q₃ = q₂ (r₁₃ / r₁₂)²

The problem indicates the charge q₁ = q₂ = 4 q and the distance between them is r₁₂ = L = 9 cm = 0.09 m, we substitute

q₃ = 4q (r₁₃ / L)²

Let's analyze the situation a bit that the charge 1 and 2 are in equilibrium with a single charge 3 this must be symmetrical between the two charge (the same force), therefore its position on the x axis must be r₁₃ = L/2 and how it is on the y axis = 0

let's substitute

q₃ = 4q (L / 2L)²

q₃ = 4q 1/4

q₃ = q

the charge q3 is ¼ of the charge q