The curve represents the distribution of potential energy along the straight line joining two charges 
and 
separated by distance 
, then which of the following statements are correct?
(I) Magnitude of charge 
is less than that of charge 
(II) 
is positive charge and 
is negative charge
(III) 
is a point of stable equilibrium
(IV) 
and 
are points of unstable equilibrium.
Text Solution
Verified by ExpertsA
Clearly, 
is +ve and 
is -ve becnuse potential energy due to 
charge is 
and due to-ve charge, is -ve.
Secondly, 
is more than 
as scen from graph. Also potential energy at point 
would be 
. For stable equilibrium, 
should be minimum and 
would be minimum only when charge placed at 
is +ve. Thus, stable equilibrium would depend on the sign of charge placed at 
and thus statement III is not always true. Points 
and 
are not equilibrium points.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Prepare Smarter with CGP Edu
Get practice questions, solutions, and test series in one place.
Write a Review
Share your experience with this question and solution.
Commentary
Send your comment, doubt, correction, or feedback to admin.
Similar Questions
Explore conceptually related problems