Define electric dipole and electric dipole moment.

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Jasmine Grover

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What is an Electric Dipole?

An electric dipole is a pair of equal and opposite electric charges separated by a small distance. This separation between the charges creates a dipole moment, which is a measure of the strength of the electric dipole.

Define electric dipole moment.

The dipole moment is defined as the product of the magnitude of one of the charges and the separation distance between the charges, multiplied by a unit vector pointing from the negative charge to the positive charge.

Mathematically, the electric dipole moment (p) is given by the formula:

μ = Q × r

where Q is the magnitude of the electric charge, and r is the distance between two charges.

Electric Dipole

Electric Dipole

The electric dipole moment is a vector quantity, meaning that it has both magnitude and direction.

  • The direction of the dipole moment is from the negative charge to the positive charge, and its magnitude depends on the strength of the charges and the distance between them.
  • Electric dipoles are important in many areas of physics and engineering, including electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and molecular biology.
  • They are used to describe the behavior of electric fields in different materials and in different situations, and are also important in the design of electrical devices and in the study of chemical bonding.

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CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.

    A rectangular loop of size 5 cm $\times$ 8 cm is lying in the $x$-$y$ plane in a uniform magnetic field $\vec{B} = (2.0\ \text{T})\hat{k}$. The total magnetic flux linked with the loop is:

      • 80 Wb
      • 16 Wb
      • \(8 \times 10^{-2}\) Wb
      • \(8 \times 10^{-3}\) Wb

    • 2.
      A current of \(4.0\,\text{A}\) flows through a wire of length \(1\,\text{m}\) and cross-sectional area \(1.0\,\text{mm}^2\), when a potential difference of \(2\,\text{V}\) is applied across its ends. Calculate the resistivity of the material of the wire.


        • 3.
          Two point charges -Q and Q are located at points (d, 0) and (0, d) respectively, in x-y plane. The electric field E at the origin will be:

            • \(\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{\sqrt{2}Q}{d^2} (\hat{i} - \hat{j})\)
            • \(\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{\sqrt{2}Q}{d^2} (-\hat{i} - \hat{j})\)
            • \(\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{Q}{d^2} (\hat{i} - \hat{j})\)
            • \(\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{Q}{d^2} (-\hat{i} - \hat{j})\)

          • 4.

            Find the ratio $\dfrac{\lambda_\alpha}{\lambda_p}$ of the de Broglie wavelength $\lambda_\alpha$ associated with an alpha particle to the de Broglie wavelength $\lambda_p$ associated with a proton if both are moving with the same velocity.


              • 5.

                A parallel beam of monochromatic light falls normally on a single slit of width $a$ and a diffraction pattern is observed on a screen placed at distance $D$ from the slit. Explain:

                (I) the formation of maxima and minima in the diffraction pattern, and

                (II) why the maxima go on becoming weaker and weaker with its increasing number $n$.


                  • 6.

                    Consider a cylindrical conductor of length $l$ and area of cross-section $A$. Current $I$ is maintained in the conductor and electrons drift with velocity $\vec{v}_d$ ($|\vec{v}_d| = \frac{e|\vec{E}|}{m}\tau$), (where symbols have their usual meanings). Show that the conductivity $\sigma$ of the material of the conductor is given by

                    $$\sigma = \frac{ne^2}{m}\tau.$$

                      CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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