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Define the given quantities and set up the coordinate system.

Mathematics

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Answer

0.305 m from q1\text{0.305 m from } q_1

Step-by-step solution

5 steps

To find the point where the total electric field is zero, we need to find a location where the electric fields due to q1q_1 and q2q_2 are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. Since both charges are positive, this point must lie between the two charges.

  1. Define the given quantities and set up the coordinate system.

    Let q1=0.700 nc=0.700×10−9 Cq_1 = 0.700 \text{ nc} = 0.700 \times 10^{-9} \text{ C} and q2=9.00 nc=9.00×10−9 Cq_2 = 9.00 \text{ nc} = 9.00 \times 10^{-9} \text{ C}.
    The distance between the charges is d=1.40 md = 1.40 \text{ m}.
    Let q1q_1 be at the origin (x=0x=0) and q2q_2 be at x=dx=d.
    Let the point where the electric field is zero be at a distance xx from q1q_1.
    The distance from q2q_2 to this point will then be d−xd-x.

  2. State the condition for the total electric field to be zero.

    The magnitude of the electric field due to a point charge qq at a distance rr is given by E=k∣q∣r2E = k \frac{|q|}{r^2}, where kk is Coulomb's constant.
    For the total electric field to be zero at point xx, the electric field due to q1q_1 (E1E_1) must be equal in magnitude to the electric field due to q2q_2 (E2E_2).

    E1=E2E_1 = E_2
  3. Write the expressions for E1E_1 and E2E_2 and set them equal.

    kq1x2=kq2(d−x)2k \frac{q_1}{x^2} = k \frac{q_2}{(d-x)^2}

    We can cancel kk from both sides:

    q1x2=q2(d−x)2\frac{q_1}{x^2} = \frac{q_2}{(d-x)^2}
  4. Substitute the given values and solve for xx.

    0.700×10−9 Cx2=9.00×10−9 C(1.40 m−x)2\frac{0.700 \times 10^{-9} \text{ C}}{x^2} = \frac{9.00 \times 10^{-9} \text{ C}}{(1.40 \text{ m} - x)^2}

    Cancel 10−910^{-9} from both sides:

    0.700x2=9.00(1.40−x)2\frac{0.700}{x^2} = \frac{9.00}{(1.40 - x)^2}

    Take the square root of both sides:

    0.700x2=9.00(1.40−x)2\sqrt{\frac{0.700}{x^2}} = \sqrt{\frac{9.00}{(1.40 - x)^2}} 0.700x=9.001.40−x\frac{\sqrt{0.700}}{x} = \frac{\sqrt{9.00}}{1.40 - x} 0.83666x=31.40−x\frac{0.83666}{x} = \frac{3}{1.40 - x}

    Cross-multiply:

    0.83666(1.40−x)=3x0.83666 (1.40 - x) = 3x 1.171324−0.83666x=3x1.171324 - 0.83666x = 3x 1.171324=3x+0.83666x1.171324 = 3x + 0.83666x 1.171324=3.83666x1.171324 = 3.83666x x=1.1713243.83666x = \frac{1.171324}{3.83666} x≈0.305309 mx \approx 0.305309 \text{ m}
  5. State the final answer.

    Rounding to three significant figures, the point where the total electric field is zero is:

    x=0.305 m from q1x = \boxed{\text{0.305 m from } q_1}
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