Question

When an electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field, it experiences?

Answer 1

Electric dipoles:

1. A pair of opposite charges $q$and $–q$ separated by a distance $d$ is called an electric dipole.
2. Electric dipoles in space are always oriented from negative charge $–q$ to positive charge $q$ by default.
3. The dipole's center is defined as the point where $q$and $–q$ meet.

Characteristics of an electric dipole:

1. The dipole moment of an electric dipole is a vector quantity.
2. It has a clear direction of travel, which is from negative to positive charge.
3. Coulomb meter is the SI unit for dipole moment.
4. The torque is greatest when the dipole is held perpendicular to the field.

Electric dipole in a uniform electric field:

1. The net force acting on a dipole placed in a uniform electric field is zero. The forces on the two charges constituting the dipole are equal and opposite. Hence, the net force is zero.
2. Both the point charges that make up the dipole will experience a force of equal magnitude and the opposite direction in a homogeneous electric field.
3. Despite the fact that the net force will always be zero, the torque for both charges will be in the same direction. As a result, the torque will not be zero.

Therefore, when an electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field, it experiences a torque but no force.