A positive charge +q1 is located to the left of a negative charge -q2. On a line

Question

A positive charge +q1 is located to the left of a negative charge -q2. On a line passing though the two charges, there are two places where the total potential is zero. The first place is between the charges and is 2.23 cm to the left of the negative charge. The second place is 7.65 cm to the right of the negative charge. (a) What is the distance between the charges? (b) Find q1/q2, the ratio of the magnitudes of the charges.

Explanation / Answer

potential V = kq/r let distance between the two is r first place where potential is zero => kq/r1 + kq/r2 = 0 => q1/(r - 2.23) - q2/ 2.23 = 0 => q1/q2 = (r - 2.23)/2.23 ..........................(1) second place where potential is zero => kq/r1 + kq/r2 = 0 => q1/(r + 7.65) - q2 / 7.65 = 0 => q1/q2 = (r + 7.65) / 7.65 ..........................(2) from (1) and (2) => (r - 2.23)/2.23 = (r + 7.65) / 7.65 => 7.65r - 17.059 = 2.23r + 17.059 => 5.42r = 34.119 => r = 6.29 cm (a) so distance between the two charge = 6.29 cm (b) q1/q2 = 6.29 + 7.65 / 7.65 = 1.82

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