A point charge q₁=4q₀ is placed at the origin. Another point charge q₂=-q₀ is placed at x=12 cm. The charge of a proton is q₀. The proton is placed on the x-axis so that the electrostatic force on the proton is zero. In this situation, the position of the proton from the origin is cm.

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24. The two source charges are unlike, so between them both fields push the proton the same way; the null point must lie outside the segment. It must also lie beyond the smaller charge -q₀, where being nearer to it can compensate for its smaller magnitude, so x>12 cm. Balance: (k(4q₀)q₀)/(x²)=(k(q₀)q₀)/((x-12)²). Taking the square root, 2/x=1/(x-12)⇒ 2(x-12)=x. x=24 cm from the origin.

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