Textbook Solution:
Answer:
To determine
To:
a) find the coordinate on the x-axis at which the net electric field of particle 1 and particle 2 is zero
b) sketch the net electric field lines between and around the particles.
Answer
Answer:
a) The distance of the point at which net electric field of particle 1 and particle 2 zero is
b) Sketch of net electric field lines between and around the two charged particles is
Explanation
1) Concept:
If there are two unlike charges the electric field in between them will be no be xero.
Hence the point at which electric field is zero located either at right or left side depending on magnitude of given charges. That is the point is away from larger charge.
The electric field set up by a positively charged particle always point directly away from the particle. Those set up by a negatively charged particle always point directly toward the particle. If there are two charges, the field lines always originate from the positive charge and end at the negative charge.
2) Formulae:
i. Net electric field=
ii. The magnitude of the electric field set up by a particle with charge q at distance r from the particle is
Where k- is the Coulomb’s constant which is equal to 8.99 x 109
3) Given:
Charge on the particle 1, = -5.00q
Charge on the particle 2, = +2.00q
Distance of separation=L
4) Calculations:
Since one charge is positive and another is negative, the net electric field cannot be zero in between them. Assume the point P where the net electric field is zero is to the right of q2 at a distance x from it.
The location of charges and the point are shown in the following figure
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Electric field on P due to q1
Electric field on P due to q2
For net electric field to be zero on the axis
Solve this quadratic equation using the formula
We get
is not valid as net electric field will not be zero in between the two charges.
Hence, electric field will be zero at a distance from the second charge.
Therefore from , the distance will be
The distance of the point at which net electric field of particle 1 and particle 2 zero is
Sketch of net electric field lines between and around the particles
Conclusion
The co-ordinate of point at which net electric field is zero can be found be equating the individual electric fields acting on the point due to given two charges.