Total Electric Potential, when is it zero?

AI Thread Summary
To determine where the total electric potential is zero between a +6.0µC charge at point A and a -2.0µC charge at point B, the potentials from both charges must cancel each other out. The potential at a point can be expressed as the sum of the potentials from each charge, which can be set to zero to find the location. There are three potential regions to consider: between the charges and on either side. By selecting a distance "x" from charge A and calculating the corresponding distance from charge B, one can set up the equation to solve for x. Exploring all three regions will help identify the correct location where the total electric potential equals zero.
aeromat
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Homework Statement


A charge of +6.0µC at point A is separated 10.0 cm from a charge of -2.0µC at point B. At what locations on the line that passes through the two charges will the total electric potential be 0?

The Attempt at a Solution

[(+) A] ------------------------------ [(-) B]I know that for them to cancel out each other, then they must be equal to each other. However, I don't know how to proceed to determine where the right location would be.
 
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Suppose you pick a point that's a distance "x" from A, and therefore 10 cm - x from B. Can you write out the electric potential at that point? If so, just set it to 0 and solve for x.
 
Yes, there are three main sections that the point may be (between the charges, or on either side) Try all of these possibilities and see if you can make one of them work.
 

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