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: 34

Answer

$3\;\rm cm$, $6\;\rm cm$

Work Step by Step

As we see in the figure below, the point at which the net electric potential is zero is at $x$ distance from the origin at which $q_1$ lies. Hence, $r_1=x$ while $r_2=|x-0.04|$. Hence, $$V_{net}=V_1+V_2=0$$ $$\dfrac{kq_1}{r_1}+\dfrac{kq_2}{r_2}=0$$ $$\dfrac{q_1}{x}=-\dfrac{q_2}{|x-0.04|} $$ Plug the known and solve for $x$, $$\dfrac{3}{x}=-\dfrac{-1}{|x-0.04|} $$ Thus, $$ |x-0.04|=\dfrac{x}{3}$$ Hence, $$ x-0.04=\pm \dfrac{x}{3}$$ So, we have two points at which the electric potential is zero which are $$x=\color{red}{\bf 6}\;\rm cm$$ and $$x=\color{red}{\bf 3}\;\rm cm$$
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