Two charges $3 \times 10^{-8} \; C$ and $-2 \times 10^{-8} \; C$ are located $15 \; cm$ apart. At what point on the line joining the two charges is the electric potential zero? Take the potential at infinity to be zero.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Let us take the origin $O$ at the location of the positive charge. The line joining the two charges is taken to be the $x$-axis; the negative charge is taken to be on the right side of the origin.
Let $P$ be the required point on the $x$-axis where the potential is zero.
If $x$ is the $x$-coordinate of $P$,obviously $x$ must be positive. If $x$ lies between $O$ and $A$,we have:
$\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_{0}} \left[ \frac{3 \times 10^{-8}}{x \times 10^{-2}} - \frac{2 \times 10^{-8}}{(15-x) \times 10^{-2}} \right] = 0$
where $x$ is in $cm$. That is,
$\frac{3}{x} - \frac{2}{15-x} = 0$
which gives $x = 9 \; cm$.
If $x$ lies on the extended line $OA$,the required condition is:
$\frac{3}{x} - \frac{2}{x-15} = 0$
which gives $x = 45 \; cm$.
Thus,the electric potential is zero at $9 \; cm$ and $45 \; cm$ away from the positive charge on the side of the negative charge.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ charge $Q$ is distributed over two concentric hollow spheres of radii $r$ and $R$ $(R > r)$ such that their surface charge densities are equal. The potential at the common centre is

Difficult
View Solution

Two spherical conductors of radii $4 \ cm$ and $5 \ cm$ are charged to the same potential. If $\sigma_1$ and $\sigma_2$ are the respective values of the surface charge density on the two conductors,then the ratio $\sigma_1 : \sigma_2$ is

In a certain charge distribution,all points having zero potential can be joined by a circle $S$. Points inside $S$ have positive potential and points outside $S$ have negative potential. $A$ positive charge,which is free to move,is placed inside $S$. What will happen to the charge?

Assertion: Electrons move away from a region of higher potential to a region of lower potential.
Reason: An electron has a negative charge.

Charges $Q$ are placed at each corner of a square of side $a$. How much work is required to remove a charge $-Q$ from the center of the square and move it to infinity?

Difficult
View Solution

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo