Figure shows two charge particles on an axis. The charges are free to move. At one point, however, a third charged particle can be placed such that all three particles are in equilibrium.
(a) Is that point to the left of the first two particles to their rightm or between them?
(b) should the third paricle be positively or negatively charged?
(c ) Is the equilibrium stable or unstable?
`

Explanation

(a) Right because third paricle should be placed near the charge smaller in magnitude and not between the charges.
(b) The third particle should be negatively charged. Only then net force on any charge due to other two charges can be zero.
(c ) Equilibrium is unstable, because if we displace any of hte charged particles from its equilibrium position, it may not return to its initial position for all directions of displacement.