Even if we change the orientation, the length and the charge of the dipole, the net force on the dipole will be equal to zero. Hence, the electric force on a dipole when it is placed in a uniform electric field is always zero.
What happens when an electric dipole is placed in non uniform electric field?
If an electric dipole is placed in a nonuniform electric field, then the positive and the negative charges of the dipole will experience a net force. And as one end of the dipole is experiencing a force in one direction and the other end in the opposite direction, so the dipole will have a net torque also.
At what position electric field is zero in case of electric dipole?
In Region II, between the charges, both vectors point in the same direction so there is no possibility of cancelling out. In Region III, the fields again point in opposite directions and there is a point where their magnitudes are the same. It is at this point where the net electric field is zero.
Which of the following is correct the electric field at a point is?
Electric field at a point is continuous if there is no charge at that point. And the field is discontinuous if there is charge at that point. So both options (b) and (c) are correct.
What happens if the electric field is non uniform?
On the other hand, if the electric field is nonuniform, the force on each of the two poles of the dipole is not equal; therefore, the net force is not equal to zero and there is movement of the particle. Furthermore, when a polarizable object is subjected to an electric field, a dipole moment is induced.
What would happen if the external electric field E is increasing?
If the external field E is increasing, the dipole moment P will have a net force acting towards the increasing field and when E is kept anti-parallel, the net dipole moment will have a force over the decreasing field. Explanation: When the electric field is not uniform, the net dipole moment will be zero.
What will happen if electric field is not uniform?
(ii) In case of non-uniform field, force acting on both the ends will not be equal. So, they will act as combination of couple and a net force. In this way, dipole will have both rotational as well as linear motion.
Can an electric field be zero?
For like charges, the electric field will be zero closer to the smaller charge and will be along the line joining the two charges. For opposite charges of equal magnitude, there will not be any zero electric fields.
Can electric field be negative?
Electric field is not negative. It is a vector and thus has negative and positive directions. An electron being negatively charged experiences a force against the direction of the field. For a positive charge, the force is along the field.