In the presence of a uniform external electric field, the dipole aligns with the electric field (the direction from the negative charge to the positive charge being the same as that of the electric field) due to electric forces that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction acting on the charges, and the net …
What happens when an electric dipole is placed in an electric field?
An electric dipole placed in uniform electric field experiences a torque which align the dipole parallel to the direction of the electric field with zero net force.
What is the relationship between dipole and electric field?
The electric dipole moment p of two charges +q and −q separated by a distance l is a vector of magnitude p = ql with a direction from the negative to the positive charge. An electric dipole in an external electric field is subjected to a torque τ = pE sin θ, where θ is the angle between p and E.
At what position is the electric dipole in uniform electric field?
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 does an electric dipole experience?
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.
What is the relationship between electric force and electric field?
The strength of the electric field is defined as the electrostatic force experienced by a small test charge qo placed at that point divided by the charge itself. The electric field is a vector, and its direction is the same as the direction of the force on a positive test charge.
At what position is the electric dipole in uniform electric field is its most stable equilibrium position?
The dipole is in constant equilibrium if θ = 0. A dipole in stable equilibrium, when Electric filed and dipole moment are perpendicular to each other i.e. the angle between them is zero degrees and torque will be maximum.
Why do the electric field lines never cross each other?
Electric field lines always point in one direction, at any point. When two lines intersect each other, tangents are drawn at that point indicating two directions of electric field lines, which is impossible therefore electric field lines cannot cross over each other.