An electric dipole consisting of two opposite charges of 2×10−6C each, separated by a distance of 3 cm is placed in an electric field of 2×105N/C. The maximum torque on the dipole will be
A
12×10−1Nm
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B
12×10−3Nm
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C
24×10−1Nm
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D
24×10−3Nm
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Solution
The correct option is B12×10−3Nm Let 2d be the separation between the charges of a dipole. So, we can write 2d=3cm
We know that torque acting on the dipole due to electric field is given by →τ=→P×→E (Here P is dipole moment and E is electric field) ⟹τ=PEsinθ
For τ to be maximum, the angle between dipole moment and electric field must be 900 ⟹τmax=PE ⟹τmax=(q×2d)(2×105N/C) ⟹τmax=(2×10−6×3×10−2×2×105)Nm ∴τmax=12×10−3Nm