Two charged particles, with charges q1=q and q2=4q, are located at a distance d= 2.00cm apart on the x axis. A third charged particle, with charge q3=q, is placed on the x-axis such that the magnitude of the force that charge 1 exerts on charge 3 is equal to the force that charge 2 exerts on charge 3. Find the position of charge 3 when q = 2.00 nC . Assuming charge 1 is located at the origin of the x-axis and the positive x-axis points to the right, find the two possible values x3,r, and x3,l for the position of charge 3.

X₃₁ = 0.58 m  and  X₃₂ = -1.38 m

Explanation:

For this exercise we use Newton's second law where the force is the Coulomb force

        F₁₃ - F₂₃ = 0

        F₁₃ = F₂₃

Since all charges are of the same sign, forces are repulsive

        F₁₃ = k q₁ q₃ / r₁₃²

        F₂₃ = k q₂ q₃ / r₂₃²

Let's find the distances

         r₁₃ = x₃- 0

         r₂₃ = 2 –x₃

We substitute

      k q q / x₃² = k 4q q / (2-x₃)²

      q² (2 - x₃)² = 4 q² x₃²

        4- 4x₃ + x₃² = 4 x₃²

        5x₃² + 4 x₃ - 4 = 0

We solve the quadratic equation

        x₃ = [-4 ±√(16 - 4 5 (-4)) ] / 2  5

        x₃ = [-4 ± 9.80] 10

       X₃₁ = 0.58 m

       X₃₂ = -1.38 m

For this two distance it is given that the two forces are equal