Two point charges +8q and -2q are located at x=0 and x=L respectively. What is the location of a point on the x-axis from the origin, at which the net electric field due to these two point charges is zero?

Step-by-step solution

Let the point where the net electric field is zero be at a distance x from the origin on the x-axis. Since the charges have opposite signs, the null point must lie outside the region between the charges and closer to the charge with the smaller magnitude. Thus, the point lies at x > L . Equating the magnitudes of the electric fields due to both charges at this point: k(8q) x^2 = k(2q) (x-L)^2 4 x^2 = 1 (x-L)^2 Taking the square root on both sides: 2 x = 1 x-L 2x - 2L = x x = 2L Answer: 2L