Which Position Has Zero Electric Field?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the position along a number line where the electric field (E) is zero due to two point charges: Q1 = +4q and Q2 = -q. The electric field generated by Q1 points away from it, while the field from Q2 points towards it. The zero electric field occurs at a point where the magnitudes of the electric fields from both charges are equal and opposite. This point must be located further from the larger charge (Q1) due to the inverse square relationship of electric field strength with distance.

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  • Familiarity with the concept of superposition in electric fields
  • Basic grasp of the inverse square law in physics
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Kathi201
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Here is the picture I am given

_____1______Q1____2___3___4___Q2_______5

Charges Q1 = +4q and Q2 = -q are placed as shown. Of the five positions indicated by the number line, which one represents where the electric field E is zero?
 
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Kathi201 said:
Here is the picture I am given

_____1______Q1____2___3___4___Q2_______5

Charges Q1 = +4q and Q2 = -q are placed as shown. Of the five positions indicated by the number line, which one represents where the electric field E is zero?

The bigger charge is plus. So its field is pointing away from the point Q1.

The E field for Q2 are all pointing toward the point Q2.

At what point are the vectors pointing in opposite direction so as to be able to net to zero? Once you find the points that satisfy that, then which charge is bigger, then you know to pick the point further away from the larger than the smaller because there is a 1/r2 relationship with the field strength and distance from the charge.
 

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