Two electrons each are fixed at a distance ' '. A third charge proton placed at the midpoint is displaced slightly by a distance perpendicular to the line joining the two fixed charges. Proton will execute simple harmonic motion having angular frequency:
(m = mass of charged particle)
(m = mass of charged particle)
- (A)
- (B)
- (C)✓ Correct
- (D)
Answer: (C)
Solution
Each electron sits a distance from the midpoint. When the proton is displaced by perpendicular to the line joining them, each electron attracts it with a force of magnitude , where . The components along the line of the electrons cancel by symmetry, while the components along the displacement add and point back towards the midpoint:
For the denominator becomes , leaving , a restoring force proportional to the displacement. Comparing with ,
so the angular frequency is .
For the denominator becomes , leaving , a restoring force proportional to the displacement. Comparing with ,
so the angular frequency is .
JEE Main · 2021 · 24 Feb 2021 · Shift 2 · Single correct option