Question 7

MCQMEDIUM

Two charges Q1=qQ_1 = q and Q2=mqQ_2 = mq are placed at the points P1(a,b)P_1(a, b) and P2(ma,mb)P_2(ma, mb), respectively, in the XYXY plane, where a,b≠0a, b \neq 0 and m≠0,1m \neq 0, 1. If V1V_1 is the potential at a point in the XYXY plane due to charge Q1Q_1 and V2V_2 is the potential at that point due to charge Q2Q_2. Correct statement(s) for the points at which ∣V1∣=∣V2∣|V_1| = |V_2| is/are:

(A)

For m=−1m = -1, locus of these points is ax+by=0ax + by = 0.

(B)

For m=2m = 2, the locus of these points is a circle of radius 23a2+b2\frac{2}{3}\sqrt{a^2 + b^2} centered at (23a,23b)(\frac{2}{3}a, \frac{2}{3}b).

(C)

For m=−2m = -2, the locus of these points is a circle of radius 2a2+b22\sqrt{a^2 + b^2} centered at (2a,2b)(2a, 2b).

(D)

For m=−3m = -3, locus of these points is 3bx+3ay=03bx + 3ay = 0.

Detailed Solution

The condition ∣V1∣=∣V2∣|V_1| = |V_2| implies: k∣q∣r1=k∣mq∣r2  ⟹  r2=∣m∣r1\frac{k|q|}{r_1} = \frac{k|mq|}{r_2} \implies r_2 = |m|r_1

Let the coordinates of the point be (x,y)(x, y). Then: (x−ma)2+(y−mb)2=m2[(x−a)2+(y−b)2](x-ma)^2 + (y-mb)^2 = m^2 \left[ (x-a)^2 + (y-b)^2 \right]

Expanding both sides: x2−2max+m2a2+y2−2mby+m2b2=m2(x2−2ax+a2+y2−2by+b2)x^2 - 2max + m^2a^2 + y^2 - 2mby + m^2b^2 = m^2(x^2 - 2ax + a^2 + y^2 - 2by + b^2) x2+y2−2max−2mby=m2x2+m2y2−2m2ax−2m2byx^2 + y^2 - 2max - 2mby = m^2x^2 + m^2y^2 - 2m^2ax - 2m^2by

Rearranging the terms to one side: (m2−1)x2+(m2−1)y2−2ax(m2−m)−2by(m2−m)=0(m^2-1)x^2 + (m^2-1)y^2 - 2ax(m^2-m) - 2by(m^2-m) = 0

Since m≠1m \neq 1, we can divide the entire equation by (m−1)(m-1): (m+1)x2+(m+1)y2−2amx−2bmy=0(m+1)x^2 + (m+1)y^2 - 2amx - 2bmy = 0

Now let's check the given options: (A) For m=−1m=-1: 0x2+0y2−2a(−1)x−2b(−1)y=0  ⟹  2ax+2by=0  ⟹  ax+by=00x^2 + 0y^2 - 2a(-1)x - 2b(-1)y = 0 \implies 2ax + 2by = 0 \implies ax + by = 0. (A straight line). Correct.

(B) For m=2m=2: 3x2+3y2−4ax−4by=0  ⟹  x2+y2−43ax−43by=03x^2 + 3y^2 - 4ax - 4by = 0 \implies x^2 + y^2 - \frac{4}{3}ax - \frac{4}{3}by = 0. This is a circle with Center =(2a3,2b3)= (\frac{2a}{3}, \frac{2b}{3}) and Radius R=(2a3)2+(2b3)2=23a2+b2R = \sqrt{\left(\frac{2a}{3}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{2b}{3}\right)^2} = \frac{2}{3}\sqrt{a^2+b^2}. Correct.

(C) For m=−2m=-2: −x2−y2+4ax+4by=0  ⟹  x2+y2−4ax−4by=0-x^2 - y^2 + 4ax + 4by = 0 \implies x^2 + y^2 - 4ax - 4by = 0. This is a circle with Center =(2a,2b)= (2a, 2b) and Radius R=(2a)2+(2b)2=2a2+b2R = \sqrt{(2a)^2 + (2b)^2} = 2\sqrt{a^2+b^2}. Correct.

(D) For m=−3m=-3: The equation will retain x2x^2 and y2y^2 terms, representing a circle, not a straight line locus like 3bx+3ay=03bx+3ay=0. Incorrect.

Correct Options: (A), (B), (C)

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