Two point charges are placed along a horizontal axis with the following values and positions: +3.8 µC at x = 0 cm and −7.6 µC at x = 20 cm. At what point along the x axis is the electric field zero?
See the diagram :
E1 = electric field due to q1
E2 = electric field due to q2
Given :
q1 = +3.8 µC
q2 = −7.6 µC
r = 20 cm = 0.20 m
The point where net electric field of two electric field is zero must have the fields in opposite directions as a first condition.
Let the point be at a distance d closer from the charge of smaller magnitude (here it is q1).
The electric field due to q1 is
The electric field due to q2 is
The second condition to get net electric field zero is that the value of E1 and E2 must be equal.
.
The point where net electric field is zero is at x = -48.28 cm [answer]
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