Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 28 - The Electric Potential - Exercises and Problems - Page 834: 35

Answer

$\pm 12\;\rm cm$

Work Step by Step

As we see in the figure below, the points at which the net electric potential is zero are $y_P$ and $y_{P'}$ where $y_P=y_{P'}$ according to the symmetry. Hence, $$V_{net}=V_1+V_2=0$$ $$\dfrac{ \color{red}{\bf\not} kq_1}{r_1}+\dfrac{ \color{red}{\bf\not} kq_2}{r_2}=0$$ $$\dfrac{ q_1}{r_1}=-\dfrac{ q_2}{r_2} $$ where $r_1=\sqrt{x_1^2+y_p^2}$ and $r_2=\sqrt{x_2^2+y_p^2}$ $$\dfrac{ q_1}{\sqrt{x_1^2+y_p^2}}=-\dfrac{ q_2}{\sqrt{x_2^2+y_p^2}} $$ Plug the known and solve for $y_p$, $$\dfrac{ -3}{\sqrt{(-9)^2+y_p^2}}=-\dfrac{ 4}{\sqrt{16^2+y_p^2}} $$ Squaring both sides, $$9(256+y_p^2)=16(81+y_p^2)$$ $$2304+9y_p^2=1296+16y_p^2$$ $$7y_p^2=1008$$ $$y_p^2=144$$ Hence, $$y_p=\pm 12\;\rm cm$$ So, we have two points at which the electric potential is zero which are $$y=\color{red}{\bf 12}\;\rm cm$$ and $$y=\color{red}{\bf -12}\;\rm cm$$
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