Related Formula
E = (k Q)/(r²)$$E = \frac{k Q}{r^2}$$
x = d1 + √((q₂)/(q₁))$$x = \frac{d}{1 + \sqrt{\frac{q_2}{q_1}}}$$
Core Logic
Let the null point where the electric field is zero be at (x, 0, 0)$(x, 0, 0)$ where 0 < x < d$0 < x < d$.
At this point, the fields due to both charges are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction:
(k q)/(x²) = (k (9q))/((d - x)²)$$\frac{k q}{x^2} = \frac{k (9q)}{(d - x)^2}$$
Taking the square root on both sides:
(1)/(x) = (3)/(d - x) d - x = 3x$$\frac{1}{x} = \frac{3}{d - x} \implies d - x = 3x$$
4x = d x = (d)/(4)$$4x = d \implies x = \frac{d}{4}$$
Thus, the coordinates of the null point are ((d)/(4), 0, 0)$\left(\frac{d}{4}, 0, 0\right)$.
Step 1: Final Conclusion
The point where the electric field vanishes is ((d)/(4), 0, 0)$\left(\frac{d}{4}, 0, 0\right)$.
Pattern Recognition
For two like charges, the zero-field null point always lies along the line joining them and is closer to the smaller charge. Use the standard shortcut: x = d1 + √(q₂/q₁)$x = \frac{d}{1 + \sqrt{q_2/q_1}}$ measured from charge q₁$q_1$.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Electrostatics