When an electric dipole is placed in a non uniform electric field what does the dipole experience?

Content Curator

When an electric dipole is placed in a non-uniform electric field, it experiences a net force and a net torque.

The electric field exerts a force on the charges of the dipole, with the positive charge experiencing a force in the direction of the electric field.
The negative charge experiencing a force in the opposite direction. As a result, the dipole experiences a net force that tends to align it with the direction of the electric field.
At the same time, the non-uniform electric field produces a torque on the dipole, causing it to rotate.
The torque is given by the cross product of the dipole moment vector and the electric field vector.
The magnitude of the torque is maximum when the dipole is oriented perpendicular to the electric field, and zero when the dipole is aligned parallel to the electric field.

The net effect of the force and torque is to cause the dipole to rotate and align with the direction of the electric field. This process is known as dielectric polarization, and is important in many applications, such as in the functioning of capacitors, where it helps to store electrical energy.

Electric Dipole in Non-uniform Electric Field

Electric Dipole in Non-uniform Electric Field

Check out:

Important Learning Concepts
Kirchhoff’s Rules	Wheatstone Bridge	Meter Bridge
Relation between Power and Resistance	Ampere	Circuit Diagram
Differences Between Acceleration and Velocity	Electrical Formula	Resistance Formula
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 1	Relation between Resistance and Length	Combination of Resistors-Series and Parallel
Cells, emf, Internal Resistance	Cells in Series and in Parallel	Drift Velocity

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.
Two slits 0.1 mm apart are arranged 1.20 m from a screen. Light of wavelength 600 nm from a distant source is incident on the slits.

View Solution

2.
Two point charges Q and \( -q \) are held \( r \) distance apart in free space. A uniform electric field \( \vec{E} \) is applied in the region perpendicular to the line joining the two charges. Which one of the following angles will the direction of the net force acting on charge \( -q \) make with the line joining Q and \( -q \)?

\( \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{4\pi \epsilon_0 E r^2}{Q} \right) \)
\( \cot^{-1} \left( \frac{4\pi \epsilon_0 E r^2}{Q} \right) \)
\( \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{QE}{4\pi \epsilon_0 r^2} \right) \)
\( \cot^{-1} \left( \frac{QE}{4\pi \epsilon_0 r^2} \right) \)

View Solution

3.
A particle of charge \( q \) is moving with a velocity \( \vec{v} \) at a distance \( d \) from a long straight wire carrying a current \( I \) as shown in the figure. At this instant, it is subjected to a uniform electric field \( \vec{E} \) such that the particle keeps moving undeviated. In terms of unit vectors \( \hat{i}, \hat{j}, \) and \( \hat{k} \), find:
the magnetic field \( \vec{B} \),
the magnetic force \( \vec{F}_m \), and
the electric field \( \vec{E} \) acting on the charge.

View Solution

4.
In the circuit, three ideal cells of e.m.f. \( V \), \( V \), and \( 2V \) are connected to a resistor of resistance \( R \), a capacitor of capacitance \( C \), and another resistor of resistance \( 2R \) as shown in the figure. In the steady state, find (i) the potential difference between P and Q, (ii) the potential difference across capacitor C.

View Solution

5.
Four resistors, each of resistance R and a key K are connected as shown in the figure. The equivalent resistance between points A and B when key K is open will be:

\( 4R \)
\( \infty \)
\( \frac{R}{4} \)
\( \frac{4R}{3} \)

View Solution

6.
Two coherent light waves, each of intensity \( I_0 \), superpose and produce an interference pattern on a screen. Obtain the expression for the resultant intensity at a point where the phase difference between the waves is \( \phi \). Write its maximum and minimum possible values.

View Solution

When an electric dipole is placed in a non uniform electric field what does the dipole experience?

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.
Two slits 0.1 mm apart are arranged 1.20 m from a screen. Light of wavelength 600 nm from a distant source is incident on the slits.

5.
Four resistors, each of resistance R and a key K are connected as shown in the figure. The equivalent resistance between points A and B when key K is open will be:

6.
Two coherent light waves, each of intensity \( I_0 \), superpose and produce an interference pattern on a screen. Obtain the expression for the resultant intensity at a point where the phase difference between the waves is \( \phi \). Write its maximum and minimum possible values.

Similar Physics Concepts

Comments

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER

When an electric dipole is placed in a non uniform electric field what does the dipole experience?

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.Two slits 0.1 mm apart are arranged 1.20 m from a screen. Light of wavelength 600 nm from a distant source is incident on the slits.

5.Four resistors, each of resistance R and a key K are connected as shown in the figure. The equivalent resistance between points A and B when key K is open will be:

6.Two coherent light waves, each of intensity \( I_0 \), superpose and produce an interference pattern on a screen. Obtain the expression for the resultant intensity at a point where the phase difference between the waves is \( \phi \). Write its maximum and minimum possible values.

Similar Physics Concepts

Comments

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER

1.
Two slits 0.1 mm apart are arranged 1.20 m from a screen. Light of wavelength 600 nm from a distant source is incident on the slits.

5.
Four resistors, each of resistance R and a key K are connected as shown in the figure. The equivalent resistance between points A and B when key K is open will be:

6.
Two coherent light waves, each of intensity \( I_0 \), superpose and produce an interference pattern on a screen. Obtain the expression for the resultant intensity at a point where the phase difference between the waves is \( \phi \). Write its maximum and minimum possible values.