Two charges `5xx10^(-8)C and -3xx10^(-8)C` are located 0.16 m apart. At what point(s) on the line joining the two charges is the electric potential zero?

Explanation

(i) For a point in between the line joining the charges,
i.e., `(kq_(A))/(0.16-x)+(kq_(B))/(x)=0," "(5xx10^(-8))/(0.16-x)-(3xx10^(-8))/(x)=0`
i.e., `x xx5xxcancel(10^(-8))=3xx10cancel(10^(-8))(0.16-x)`
`5x=0.48-3x`
or 8x=0.48
`therefore x=0.06`m from the charge `-3xx10^(-8)`C to its left.

(ii) FOr a point outside the line joining the charges,
`(5xx10^(-8))/(0.16+x)=(3xx10^(-8))/(x)`
i.e., `5x=0.48+3x`
`2x=0.48,x=0.24m` to the left of the charge `-3xx10^(-8)C`.