Question

Three charged particles are in equilibrium under their electrostatic forces only. which of the following statements is true for the system.

• A. the particles have the same charge
• B. all the charges cannot have the same magnitude
• C. all the charges cannot have the same sign
• D. the equilibrium is unstable

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C), (D)

The correct options are
B all the charges cannot have the same magnitude
C all the charges cannot have the same sign
D the equilibrium is unstable

Three charged particles are in equilibrium under their electrostatic forces only when the particles are on the same line (i.e., collinear) all the charges cannot have the same magnitude and same sign. A part from this, the equilibrium is unstable i.e., changes with position.