MCQEasyJEE 2025Electric Field & Field Lines

JEE Physics 2025 Question with Solution

A point charge +q+q is placed at the origin. A second point charge +9q+9q is placed at (d,0,0)(d, 0, 0) in Cartesian coordinate system. The point in between them where the electric field vanishes is:

  • A

    (4d3,0,0)\left(\frac{4d}{3}, 0, 0\right)

  • B

    (d4,0,0)\left(\frac{d}{4}, 0, 0\right)

  • C

    (3d4,0,0)\left(\frac{3d}{4}, 0, 0\right)

  • D

    (d3,0,0)\left(\frac{d}{3}, 0, 0\right)

Answer

Correct answer:B

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: A point charge +q+q is at the origin and another point charge +9q+9q is at (d,0,0)(d,0,0).

Find: The point between the charges where the net electric field is zero.

Use the principle of superposition. Let the required point be P(x,0,0)P(x,0,0), where $$0

Step-by-step vector reasoning

Given: q1=+qq_1=+q at (0,0,0)(0,0,0) and q2=+9qq_2=+9q at (d,0,0)(d,0,0).

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 P(x,0,0)P(x,0,0) with $$0

Common mistakes

  • 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 +q+q, not closer to +9q+9q.

  • 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 xx and dxd-x are positive, so only the positive root is valid.

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