Gujarati
2. Electric Potential and Capacitance
hard

Three charges $Q,\, + q$ and $ + q$ are placed at the vertices of a right-angled isosceles triangle as shown. The net electrostatic energy of the configuration is zero if $Q$ is equal to

A

$\frac{{ - q}}{{1 + \sqrt 2 }}$

B

$\frac{{ - 2q}}{{2 + \sqrt 2 }}$

C

$ - 2q$

D

$ + q$

(IIT-2000)

Solution

(b) Net electrostatic energy $U = \frac{{kQq}}{a} + \frac{{k{q^2}}}{a} + \frac{{kQq}}{{a\sqrt 2 }} = 0$
$ \Rightarrow \,\frac{{kq}}{a}\left( {Q + q + \frac{Q}{{\sqrt 2 }}} \right) = 0$ $==>$ $Q = – \frac{{2q}}{{2 + \sqrt 2 }}$

Standard 12
Physics

Similar Questions

Start a Free Trial Now

Confusing about what to choose? Our team will schedule a demo shortly.