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Problem 4.18: 9e, and The Other Located On The Positive X-Axis at 36e. Determine The Location

A system with two negative charges (-9e and -36e) located on the x-axis a distance d apart is not in equilibrium. To achieve equilibrium, a third positive charge of magnitude 4e must be placed halfway between the two negative charges at a distance of d/3 from each one. The forces acting on each charge from the other two will then be equal, satisfying the condition for equilibrium.

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Eric Kial
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78 views2 pages

Problem 4.18: 9e, and The Other Located On The Positive X-Axis at 36e. Determine The Location

A system with two negative charges (-9e and -36e) located on the x-axis a distance d apart is not in equilibrium. To achieve equilibrium, a third positive charge of magnitude 4e must be placed halfway between the two negative charges at a distance of d/3 from each one. The forces acting on each charge from the other two will then be equal, satisfying the condition for equilibrium.

Uploaded by

Eric Kial
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Problem 4.

18 Multiple charges at different locations are said to be in equilibrium if the force acting on any one of them is identical in magnitude and direction to the force acting on any of the others. Suppose we have two negative charges, one located at the origin and carrying charge 9e, and the other located on the positive x-axis at a distance d from the rst one and carrying charge 36e. Determine the location, polarity and magnitude of a third charge whose placement would bring the entire system into equilibrium. Solution: If
Q1 = -9e x=0 x d (d-x) Q3 Q2 = -36e x

Figure P4.18: Three collinear charges.

F1 = force on Q1 , F2 = force on Q2 , F3 = force on Q3 , then equilibrium means that F1 = F2 = F3 . The two original charges are both negative, which mean they would repel each other. The third charge has to be positive and has to lie somewhere between them in order to counteract their repulsion force. The forces acting on charges Q1 , Q2 , and Q3 are respectively F1 = F2 = F3 = 21 Q1 Q2 R 40 R2 21 12 Q1 Q2 R 40 R2 12 13 Q1 Q3 R 40 R2 13 + + + 31 Q1 Q3 R 40 R2 31 32 Q3 Q2 R 40 R2 32 23 Q2 Q3 R 40 R2 23 = x =x 324e2 9eQ3 +x , 2 40 d 40 x2

36eQ3 324e2 x , 2 40 d 40 (d x)2

= x

9eQ3 36eQ3 +x . 2 40 x 40 (d x)2

Hence, equilibrium requires that 324e 9Q3 324e 36Q3 9Q3 36Q3 + 2 = 2 = 2 + . d2 x d (d x)2 x (d x)2

Solution of the above equations yields Q3 = 4e, x= d . 3

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