Question

what would the mystery charge labeled \?\ have to be for this object to have a net electric charge of 0?
note for advanced students: you can assume charge is measured in any convenient units, e.g. coulombs or units of e. write down only the number part of your answer.

Explanation:

Step1: Identify charges

We have two \( +2 \) charges, one \( -2 \) charge, and one mystery charge \(? \).

Step2: Set up equation for net charge

The net charge is the sum of all charges. Let the mystery charge be \( x \). So, \( 2 + 2 - 2 + x = 0 \).

Step3: Simplify and solve for \( x \)

Simplify the left - hand side: \( (2 + 2 - 2)+x=2 + x \).
Set \( 2 + x = 0 \), then \( x=- 2 \).

Answer:

\(-2\)