# Where Electric Potential is Zero

## Homework Statement

Charge Q1 and charge -3Q are 1 meter apart. Consider only points on the axis between the charges. A.) Where is V=0? B.) Where is E=0?

## Homework Equations

$$V=\frac{kQ}{r}$$

## The Attempt at a Solution

A.) The positions where the electric potential would be zero would be to add the potentials due to the individual charges and set equal to Zero, correct?

$$V=\frac{kQ_1}{r_1}-\frac{k3Q}{r_2}=0$$
$$r_1+r_2=1$$
$$r_1=1-r_2$$

$$V=\frac{kQ_1}{1-r_2}-\frac{k3Q}{r_2}=0$$

After this, the algebra gets very messy and I can't figure out how to approach it to isolate r_2.

B.) Haven't attempted this yet. Hints on how to from part A to B?

cepheid
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
Have you considered putting the terms on opposite sides of the equation and cross multiplying?

Yeah. I think I'm having problems defining where the positions are on the x-axis.

Q1---------V=0---------Q2

X1---------X0----------X2

Therefore:

$$V=\frac{kQ_1}{r_1}-\frac{k3Q}{r_2}=0$$

$$V=\frac{kQ_1}{x_0-x_1}-\frac{k3Q}{x_2-x_0}=0$$

$$\frac{kQ_1}{x_0-x_1}=\frac{k3Q}{x_2-x_0}$$

$$(kQ_1)(x_2-x_0)=(k3Q)(x_0-x_1)$$

If this is right, I should be able to solve for x_0.

But how can I be sure there are no other points of V=0 on the axis? This equation doesn't deliver multiple solutions.

cepheid
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
You do realize that for convenience, you can decide that one of the charges is sitting at the origin (x = 0)? If so, then the other one will be at x = +1 m or x = -1 m depending upon which one you pick.

But how can I be sure there are no other points of V=0 on the axis?

Here is the answer to that question:

This equation doesn't deliver multiple solutions.

The answer in the back of the book gives two solutions, ones 25cm to the right of the Q charge, and one 50cm to the left of the Q charge.

cepheid
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
The answer in the back of the book gives two solutions, ones 25cm to the right of the Q charge, and one 50cm to the left of the Q charge.

How is that consistent with these instructions?

Consider only points on the axis between the charges.

Also, it's pretty clear that your equation for V will never lead to a quadratic. Are you sure these answers aren't for E?

I'm sorry. I copied the problem incorrectly. It should say, "Consider points only on the axis".

There are 2 solutions for V=0 and one solution for E=0 (40cm to the left of Q).

Cyosis
Homework Helper
Just pick a point a distance r to the left of charge Q and solve for r.

Yes but my question is how can I be sure there's a V=0 point there? Do I have to check all three regions every time a problem like this comes up? Is that the easiest way to do it? Is there a better way to determine where I should check prior to doing the calculations?

cepheid
Staff Emeritus
Gold Member
I don't know which charge is where (i.e. which one is on the left and which one is on the right), but it doesn't matter. Consider the leftmost charge to be at x = 0. The distance of a point from this charge is given by:

r1 = |x|

The rightmost charge is at x = 1. The distance of a point from this charge is given by:

r2 = |x - 1|

Do you understand why I have put in the absolute value signs? The potential (or electric field) depends only on the distance from the charge, and not on in which direction along the axis that distance lies. Considering that different cases that the absolute value signs give rise to will lead you to your multiple solutions.

cepheid
Staff Emeritus