Electric field strength at a point between charges

AI Thread Summary
To find the point where the electric field strength is zero between a +1.0 μC charge at point X and a +4.0 μC charge at point Y, the magnitudes of the electric fields from both charges must be equal. The relevant equation is E = Q/4πε0r², where r is the distance from each charge to the point of interest. By defining the distance from X as x, the distance from Y can be expressed as (0.5 - x) meters. Setting the two electric field equations equal allows for solving for x, which represents the location where the electric field is zero. The solution requires careful manipulation of the equations based on the defined distances.
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Homework Statement


A +1.0 μC charge is placed at point X. A +4.0 μC charge is placed at point Y,
50 cm from X.
How far from X, on the line XY, is the point where the electric field strength is zero?

Homework Equations


E = Q/4πε0r2

The Attempt at a Solution


I know that the electric field is zero at the point where the magnitude of the field due to the 1.0 μC charge is equal to the magnitude of the field due to the 4.0 μC charge, but I have tried making the equations equal to each other and don't know how to find r
 
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If you write up the equation the distances have to satisfy how does it look?
One hint is that if you define the distance from ##X## along the line as ##x## the distance from ##Y## can be written as ##(0.5-x)## (in meters).
 
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