Two point charges Q each are placed at a distance d apart. A third point charge q is placed at a distance x…

Two point charges Q each are placed at a distance d apart. A third point charge q is placed at a distance x from mid-point on the perpendicular bisector. The value of x at which charge q will experience the maximum Coulomb's force is:
  1. d
  2. d2
  3. d2
  4. d22

Solution

The distance between q and Q is r=x2+d22=x2+d24.

The force between q and Q will be F=kqQr2.

From the given figure we can see that only vertical components of the forces will add, and the horizontal components will get cancelled out. Therefore,

Fnet=2kqQr2cosθ=2kqQr2×xr=kqQxx2+d2432

For force to be maximum, dFnetdx=0.

kqQx2+d2432-x×32x2+d2412×2xx2+d24322=0

x2+d24=3x22x2=d24x=d22

Asked in: JEE Main 2022 (29 Jun Shift 2)

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