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CUET · PHYSICS · PYQ PAPER 2025

Three charges Q, +2q and +2q are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. If the net electrostatic potential energy of the system is zero, then Q is equal to

  1. A \(\text { -q }\)
  2. B \(\text { +q }\)
  3. C \(\text { -2q }\)
  4. D \(\text { -q/2 }\)
Verified Solution

Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(A) \(\text { -q }\)

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

\(U = k \frac{Q(2q)}{a} + k \frac{Q(2q)}{a} + k \frac{(2q)(2q)}{a}\) \(0 = \frac{k}{a} (2Qq + 2Qq + 4q^2)\) \(0 = 4Qq + 4q^2\) \(4Qq = -4q^2\) \(Q = -q\)