Atotal charge Q is uniformly distributed around a ring-shaped conductor with radius a . Acharge q is located at a distance x from the center of the ring .

F=(1/(4*pi*e0)) * (q*Q*x)/((x^2+a^2)^(3/2))
e0=8.85*10^(-12) (C^2/N*m^2)
q=Q=2*10^(-5) C
a=0.9 m

x=? where the force is a maximum

Answer 1

[Stephan]

The following plots your function:

syms x
e0=8.85e-12; %(C^2/N*m^2)
Q=2e-5; %C
q=Q; %C
a_1=0.9; %m
F=(1/(4*pi*e0)) * (q*Q*x)/((x^2+a_1^2)^(3/2));
% plot function 
fplot(f)

Look at it and get an idea of your expected solution. Now think about how to find extrema of a function and how to find out if it is a maximum or a minimum. You know how to do this. Now it is your turn to find out how to do this in Matlab .

One hint - read about the following functions:

subs, solve and diff.

Best regards

Stephan

[James Tursa]

A complete solution to a homework problem?

[Stephan]

you are right, i edited my answer a little bit. thank you, James.