Electric fields two point charges

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around finding the point where the electric field is zero between two point charges, q1 = -6q and q2 = +3q, separated by distance d. The user attempted to solve the equation by setting the sum of the electric fields from both charges to zero but received incorrect results on WebAssign. Feedback indicated that the origin was incorrectly set at q1 instead of measuring x from q2, which led to confusion in calculations. The correct approach involves ensuring that the electric field vectors from both charges are considered in the right direction. The user plans to re-evaluate their calculations based on this feedback.
mussgo
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i just need to get this question over with
i tried and tried but i couldn't get the right answer plss anyone u.u

1. Homework Statement

point charges q1 = -6q and q2 = +3q are separated by distance d. Locate the point (measured from the origin at q1) at which the electric field due to the two charges is zero.
<img src=http://www.webassign.net/hrw/23_30.gif>



2. Homework Equations
E=kQ/x^2


3. The Attempt at a Solution

well i did 0= E1+E2

i got this

0 = 3kQ/x^2 - 6kQ/(x+d)^2

6kQ/(x+d)^2 = 3kQ/x^2

cross multiplied

2x^2 = x^2 + 2dx + d^2

x^2 - 2dx - d^2 = 0

and then i did quadratic formula and got d-+d(sqrt2)
like 2.414d and .414 but as i put them in the webassign i got em wrong
can anyone help or tell what i did wrong or any feedback would be apreciated u.u
 
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There is only one point where the charges cancel each other out. It is one of the two you have calculated for, but only one has the E field vectors pointing opposite directions, which give a net charge of zero.
 
but something must be wrong because like i said earlier
the webassign says its wrong :S u___U
 
> point charges q1 = -6q and q2 = +3q are separated by distance d. Locate the point (measured from the origin at q1) at which the electric field due to the two charges is zero.

> got this

0 = 3kQ/x^2 - 6kQ/(x+d)^2


You origin is given at q1 = 6q, but you are measuring x from the other charge.
 
true :O
im going to try it
and see what comes out :O
 
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