Question

In figure, two positive charges, q2 and q3 fixed along the y axis, exert a net electric force in the +x direction on a charge q1 fixed along the x axis. If a positive charge Q is added at (x, 0), the force on q1

• A. Shall increase along the positive x-axis.
• B. Shall decrease along the positive x-axis.
• C. Shall point along the negative x-axis.
• D. Shall increase but the direction charges because of the intersection of Q with q2 and q3.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Shall increase along the positive x-axis.

Answer 2

Since positive charge $q_{3}$ exert a net force in the + X – direction on the charge $q_{1}$fixed along the X – axis, the charge $q_{1}$is negative as shown in figure.

Obviously, due to addition of positive charge Q at $(x,0)$, the force on $- q$shall increase along the positive X – axis,