The figure shows two unequal point charges, q and Q, of opposite sign. Charge Q has greater magnitude than charge q. In which of the regions X, Y, Z will there be a point at which the net electric field due to these two charges is zero?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

There will be a point where the net electric field is zero only in region X, which is the line joining the two charges and passing through the midpoint of the line segment joining the charges. This is because here the electric field due to q and Q will be in opposite directions and their magnitudes will be inversely proportional to the distance from the midpoint. In regions Y and Z, the electric fields due to q and Q will be in the same direction and cannot cancel out to give a net electric field of zero.

The Figure Shows Two Unequal Point Charges, Q and Q