Charges -q,Q,-q are placed at an equal distance on straight line. if the total potential energy of the system of three charges is zero, then what is the ratio of Q/q?

Question

Answer

Explanation:

Let's consider the potential energy of each pair of charges:

The potential energy of the Q and -q charges is given by: U1 = kQq/d

The potential energy of the -q and q charges is given by: U2 = -kq^2/d

The potential energy of the Q and q charges is given by: U3 = kQq/d

The total potential energy of the system is given by: U = U1 + U2 + U3 = kQq/d - kq^2/d + kQq/d = k(Qq - q^2)/d

Since the total potential energy of the system is zero, we can write the equation as: Qq - q^2 = 0

Factoring out q from the equation, we get: q(Q - q) = 0

So, either q = 0 or Q = q

Since we have charges placed at equal distance on a straight line, we cannot have q = 0, so we have Q = q

Therefore, the ratio of Q/q is 1:1 or simply 1

Answer

Answer

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