Three charges, each of value q, are placed at the corners o…

Physics Electrostatics Potential & Capacitance Properties of Charge and Coulomb's Law MCQ (Single Correct)

Three charges, each of value q, are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle. A fourth charge Q is placed at the center O of the triangle.

If Q = –q, will the charges at corners start to move towards center or away from it.

For what value of Q at O will the charges remain stationary?

Text Solution

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moves towards the center

Sol.

Equating the forces on charge q placed at point ‘C’ we see,

F 1 =

∴ 2F 1 cos 30º = 2 ×

F 2 =

 F 2 is stronger than 2F 1 cos 30º, so charge 'q' at C is attracted towards 'O'

Ans. All 3 charges move towards center 'O'.

The charge 'Q' at center 'O' is already in equilibrium

Now, for each charge to be in equilibrium let us consider equilibrium (rest) for charge 'q' at 'C'

Equating forces: 2F 1 cos 30º = F 2

∴

∴ Q =

value of Q should be –ve for F 2 to be attractive

∴ Q = – Ans.

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