CameraIcon

SearchIcon

MyQuestionIcon

1

You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!

Torque on a Dipole

Why does a di...

Question

Why does a dipole experiences a torque (although the net charge is zero) in a uniform electric field?

Open in App

Solution

The direction of the force is opposite, so they cancel out, such that net force = 0. However, they are not acting along the same line, so the torque is not zero (they form a couple).

Suggest Corrections

thumbs-up

2

Similar questions

Q. In a uniform electric field, an electric dipole experiences only torque. But when the electric field is non-uniform, it experiences torque as well as a net force. Why is it so?

Q. An electric dipole is placed in an electric field generated by a point charge.
(a) The net electric force on the dipole must be zero.
(b) The net electric force on the dipole may be zero.
(c) The torque on the dipole due to the field must be zero.
(d) The torque on the dipole due to the field may be zero.

Q. An electric dipole of length

20 c m

\pm 3 \times 10^{- 3} C

charge placed at

60^{o}

with respect to a uniform electric field experiences a torque of magnitude

6 N m

. The potential energy of the dipole is

Q. An electric dipole of length

10 c m

having a charge

(+ / -) 6 \times 10^{- 3} C

30^{o}

with respect to a uniform electric field experiences a torque of magnitude

6 \sqrt{3} N - m

. Calculate the potential energy of the dipole.

Q. An electric dipole of length

10 c m

\pm 6 \times 10^{- 3} C

30^{o}

w.r.t. a uniform electric field experiences a torque of magnitude

6 \sqrt{3} N m

. Calculate (1) magnitude of electric field (2) potential energy of dipole.

View More

Join BYJU'S Learning Program

similar_icon

Related Videos

lock

Torque and Potential Energy of a Dipole

PHYSICS

Watch in App

explore_more_icon

Explore more

Torque on a Dipole

Standard XII Physics

Join BYJU'S Learning Program

CrossIcon