Two charges `5 xx 10^(-8)C and -3 xx 10^(-8)C` are located 16 cm apart. At what point(s) on the line joining the two charges is the electric potential zero ? Take the potential at the infinity to be zero.

Explanation

On the line there are two locations where potential becomes zero.
For `P, (5 xx 10^(-8))/(x)=(3 xx 10^(-8))/((16-x))`
`5(16-x) =3x, 80x-5x=3x`
`8x=80 therefore x=10cm`
For `Q, (5 xx 10^(-8))/((16+y))=(3 xx 10^(-8))/(y)`
5y=38+3y 2y=48
y=24 cm
i.e, at (16+24)=40 cm from A.