Electrostatics 7 Question 6
6. The figures below depict two situations in which two infinitely long static line charges of constant positive line charge density are kept parallel to each other
In their resulting electric field, point charges
(a) both charges execute simple harmonic motion.
(b) both charges will continue moving in the direction of their displacement.
(c) charge
(d) charge
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Solution:
- At the shown position, net force on both charges is zero. Hence they are in equilibrium. But equilibrium of
is stable equilibrium. So, it will start oscillations when displaced from this position. These small oscillations are simple harmonic in nature. While equilibrium of is unstable. So, it continues to move in the direction of its displacement.