An electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field. What will be the net electric force on the dipole?

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Ques: An electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field. What will be the net electric force on the dipole?

Ans: The net force on electric dipole when it is placed in a uniform electric field is “zero”.

Explanation: When an electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field, the electric field exerts a force on each charge of the dipole. Since the charges in a dipole are of equal magnitude but opposite in sign, the force acting on them also becomes equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

electric dipole placed in a uniform electric field

Electric dipole placed in a uniform electric field

The force on the positive charge of the dipole is in the direction of the electric field, and the force on the negative charge is in the opposite direction.

As a result, the two forces create a torque on the dipole, which tends to rotate it.
The force on +q is directed to the right and on −q is to the left.
The magnitude of forces are equal as the electric field is uniform. Hence, the net force is always zero.

However, the net electric force on the dipole is always zero because the electric field is uniform and the two forces on the charges are equal and opposite in direction. This means that the electric force on the dipole's center of mass is zero, and the dipole will not experience any translational acceleration in the electric field.

Therefore, the electric dipole experiences only a torque in a uniform electric field, but the net force is always zero.

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An electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field. What will be the net electric force on the dipole?

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.
Assertion (A) : The mass of a nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of the constituent nucleons. Reason (R) : Energy is absorbed when the nucleons are bound together to form a nucleus.

2.
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:

3.
If both the number of protons and the neutrons are conserved in each nuclear reaction, in what way is mass converted into energy (or vice versa) in a nuclear reaction? Explain.

5.
Write any two features of nuclear forces.

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:

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An electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field. What will be the net electric force on the dipole?

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.Assertion (A) : The mass of a nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of the constituent nucleons. Reason (R) : Energy is absorbed when the nucleons are bound together to form a nucleus.

2.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:

3. If both the number of protons and the neutrons are conserved in each nuclear reaction, in what way is mass converted into energy (or vice versa) in a nuclear reaction? Explain.

5. Write any two features of nuclear forces.

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:

Similar Physics Concepts

Comments

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER

1.
Assertion (A) : The mass of a nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of the constituent nucleons. Reason (R) : Energy is absorbed when the nucleons are bound together to form a nucleus.

2.
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:

3.
If both the number of protons and the neutrons are conserved in each nuclear reaction, in what way is mass converted into energy (or vice versa) in a nuclear reaction? Explain.

5.
Write any two features of nuclear forces.

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: