Determining the Location of Zero Electric Field in a Three-Charge Configuration

AI Thread Summary
To determine where the electric field is zero in a three-charge configuration, one must analyze the electric potentials from each charge. The zero electric field occurs where the sum of the electric potentials equals zero. In this specific case, the zero electric field is found between the first charge (-3.0 micro-Coulombs) and the second charge (4.0 micro-Coulombs). Evaluating each region helps identify that only in this area can the electric field reach zero. Understanding the contributions of each charge's potential is crucial for solving such problems.
overkill
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I have a question on how do you determine in which region will the electric field be zero. :confused:

A charge of -3.0 micro-Coulombs is located at the origin; a charge of 4.0 micro-Coulombs is located at x = 0.2m, y = 0; A third charge -97 micro-Coulombs is located at x = 0.32m, y = 0. The force on the 4.0 micro-Coulombs charge is 240N. With these configuration of three charges, where, along the x direction, is the electric field zero?
 
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Hi there overkill and welcome to PF,

HINT: The sum of the electric potentials from each respective charge will be zero at this point. Set 'r' as the distance from the origin.
 
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Hi and thank you.

um...my question is how do you know in which region will the electric field be zero? to the left of all 3 charges, or between charge 1 and charge 2, or between charge 2 and charge 3, or to the right of all charges? For this problem, it is in between charge 1 and charge 2 where the electric field will be zero, but i don't understand why. Can someone explain why? Thank you.
 
Why don't you study each region in turn, writing an expression for the total field. Only in one region will it be possible for the expression to go to zero.
 
Hootenanny said:
HINT: The sum of the electric potentials from each respective charge will be zero at this point. Set 'r' as the distance from the origin
I think Hoot misread the question :wink:
 
arunbg said:
I think Hoot misread the question :wink:
Indeed I did:zzz:
 
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