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A2 Coulombs Law
A2 Coulombs Law
1 Q1 Q2 Q 1 Q2
F = or F =
4πεo r2 4πεor2
When E is 0: E1 = E2
Substitute in equations for E: Q1/4πεor12 = Q2/4πεor22
Cancel constants: Q1/r12 = Q2/r22
Q1 = 2Q2 so: 2Q2/r12 = Q2/r22
Cancel Q2 values from each side: 2 = r12/r22
Square root each side: √2 = r1/r2
Multiply both sides by r2: r1 = r2√2
r1 = r2√2
This means that the point lies along the line further
from Q1 than from Q2.
The exact distance can be calculated if necessary by
working out the fraction of the total distance r1 and r2
make up:
r1 is √2/(1+√2) of the total distance from Q1
r2 is 1/(1+√2) of the total distance from Q2.
electric field
positive
test charge
at infinity