Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 24 - Electric Potential - Questions - Page 709: 3a

Answer

In Arrangement (1) and Arrangement (2), there is a point between the particles at which $V_{net} = 0$

Work Step by Step

We can write a general equation for the net electric potential: $V_{net} = \frac{1}{4\pi~\epsilon_0}\sum \frac{q_i}{r_i}$ Arrangement (1): Let $d$ be the distance between the two charges. Consider the point a distance of $\frac{d}{4}$ to the right of the $-2q$ charge. We can find $V_{net}$ at this point: $V_{net} = \frac{1}{4\pi~\epsilon_0}\sum \frac{q_i}{r_i}$ $V_{net} = \frac{1}{4\pi~\epsilon_0}(\frac{-2q}{d/4}+\frac{6q}{3d/4})$ $V_{net} = \frac{1}{4\pi~\epsilon_0}(\frac{-8q}{d}+\frac{8q}{d})$ $V_{net} = 0$ Arrangement (2): Let $d$ be the distance between the two charges. Consider the point a distance of $\frac{3d}{7}$ to the right of the $+3q$ charge. We can find $V_{net}$ at this point: $V_{net} = \frac{1}{4\pi~\epsilon_0}\sum \frac{q_i}{r_i}$ $V_{net} = \frac{1}{4\pi~\epsilon_0}(\frac{3q}{3d/7}+\frac{-4q}{4d/7})$ $V_{net} = \frac{1}{4\pi~\epsilon_0}(\frac{7q}{d}-\frac{7q}{d})$ $V_{net} = 0$ In Arrangement (3), $V_{net} \gt 0$ at all points since both charges are positive. In Arrangement (4), $V_{net} \lt 0$ at all points since both charges are negative. Therefore: In Arrangement (1) and Arrangement (2), there is a point between the particles at which $V_{net} = 0$
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