A point charge is placed at the origin. A second point charge is placed at in Cartesian coordinate system. The point in between them where the electric field vanishes is:
- A
- B
- C
- D
A point charge is placed at the origin. A second point charge is placed at in Cartesian coordinate system. The point in between them where the electric field vanishes is:
Correct answer:B
Standard Method
Given: A point charge is at the origin and another point charge is at .
Find: The point between the charges where the net electric field is zero.
Use the principle of superposition. Let the required point be , where $$0
Step-by-step vector reasoning
Given: at and at .
Find: The coordinate of the point where the electric field vanishes.
The problem asks for a point on the line segment joining the two charges. Since both charges are positive, the net electric field can vanish only at a point between them, where the two fields are opposite in direction.
Let the point be with $$0
Assuming the zero-field point lies closer to the larger charge. This is wrong because the stronger charge must be balanced by being farther away, so the cancellation point lies closer to , not closer to .
Equating electric potentials instead of electric fields. Potential is a scalar, but the question asks where the electric field vanishes, so you must set field magnitudes equal with opposite directions.
Using the negative square-root branch without checking the physical region. Since the point is between the charges, both and are positive, so only the positive root is valid.
Get unlimited AI-adaptive practice, mastery tracking, and an AI tutor that explains every step - free to start.