Define electric dipole and electric dipole moment.

Jasmine Grover logo

Jasmine Grover

Education Journalist | Study Abroad Strategy Lead

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.

Read More:

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.
    An equipotential surface through a point is normal to the electric field at that point.Explain


      • 2.
        A low voltage supply from which one needs high currents must have very low internal resistance. Why ?


          • 3.
            Derive the relation for the refractive index ($\mu$) of a prism in terms of angle of minimum deviation ($\delta_m$) and angle of prism ($A$).

              • $\mu = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{A + \delta_m}{2}\right)}{\sin\left(\frac{A}{2}\right)}$
              • $\mu = \frac{\cos\left(\frac{A + \delta_m}{2}\right)}{\cos\left(\frac{A}{2}\right)}$
              • $\mu = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{A - \delta_m}{2}\right)}{\sin\left(\frac{A}{2}\right)}$
              • $\mu = \frac{\tan\left(\frac{A + \delta_m}{2}\right)}{\tan\left(\frac{A}{2}\right)}$

            • 4.
              A student sets up the circuit as shown in the figure to find the value of unknown resistance X and records a set of readings of the voltmeter and the ammeter by using the rheostat.


                • 5.
                  The electron drift speed is estimated to be only a few mm/s for currents in the range of a few amperes. How, then, is the current established almost the instant a circuit is closed ?


                    • 6.
                      The assertion that V = IR is a statement of Ohm’s law is not true. Why ?

                        CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

                        Comments


                        No Comments To Show