(a) Consider an arbitrary electrostatic field configuration. A small test charge is placed at a null point (i.e., where E = 0) of the configuration. Show that the equilibrium of the test charge is necessarily unstable. (b) Verify this result for the simple configuration of two charges of the same magnitude and sign placed a certain distance apart.

(a) Consider an arbitrary electrostatic field configuration. A small test charge is placed at a null point (i.e., where E = 0) of the configuration. Show that the equilibrium of the test charge is necessarily unstable. (b) Verify this result for the simple configuration of two charges of the same magnitude and sign placed a certain distance apart.

University Physics Volume 2

18th Edition

ISBN:9781938168161

Author:OpenStax

Publisher:OpenStax

Chapter6: Gauss's Law

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 86AP: Two non-conducting spheres of radii R1 and R2 are uniformly charged with charge densities p1 and p2...

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