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 part of a wire carrying \( 2.0 \, \text{A} \) current and bent at \( 90^\circ \) at two points is placed in a region of uniform magnetic field \( \vec{B} = -0.50 \, \hat{k} \, \text{T} \), as shown in the figure. Calculate the magnitude of the net force acting on the wire.


      • 2.
        The figure represents the variation of the electric potential \( V \) at a point in a region of space as a function of its position along the x-axis. A charged particle will experience the maximum force at:

          • P
          • Q
          • R
          • S

        • 3.
          In a Young's double-slit experiment, two waves each of intensity I superpose each other and produce an interference pattern. Prove that the resultant intensities at maxima and minima are 4I and zero respectively.


            • 4.
              Assertion : Induced emf produced in a coil will be more when the magnetic flux linked with the coil is more. Reason (R): Induced emf produced is directly proportional to the magnetic flux.

                • Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
                • Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
                • Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
                • Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.

              • 5.
                Two small identical metallic balls having charges \( q \) and \( -2q \) are kept far at a separation \( r \). They are brought in contact and then separated at distance \( \frac{r}{2} \). Compared to the initial force \( F \), they will now:

                  • attract with a force \( \frac{F}{2} \)
                  • repel with a force \( \frac{F}{2} \)
                  • repel with a force \( F \)
                  • attract with a force \( F \)

                • 6.
                  A square loop of side 0.50 m is placed in a uniform magnetic field of 0.4 T perpendicular to the plane of the loop. The loop is rotated through an angle of 60° in 0.2 s. The value of emf induced in the loop will be:

                    • 5 V
                    • 3.5 V
                    • 2.5 V
                    • Zero V
                  CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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