Question

Two positive point charges that are equal in magnitude are fixed in place, one at x = 0.00 m and the other at x = 1.00 m, on the x axis. A third positive point charge is placed at an equilibrium position. Where is the equilibrium position?

Answer 1

Answer:

0.5 m

Explanation:

Two charges each of magnitude q

Let the third charge is Q is placed at a distance x from the origin so that the charge is in equilibrium.

The force on Q due to q at origin is balanced by the charge on Q due to the charge q placed at x = 1 m.

So,

$\frac{KQq}{x^{2}}=\frac{KQq}{\left ( 1-x \right )^{2}}$

1 - x =  x

1 = 2x

x = 0.5 m

Thus, the third charge is placed at x = 0.5 m .