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.
    An electric field $\vec{E}$ is established across the ends of a cylindrical conductor of length L and area of cross-section A. Discuss how electrons attain an average velocity, independent of time. Hence, obtain a relation between current in the conductor and this ‘average velocity’ of electrons.


      • 2.
        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.


          • 3.
            Two metal spheres of radii $r_1$ and $r_2$ ($> r_1$) having charges $q_1$ and $q_2$ respectively kept in air, are brought in contact. Which of the following statements is not correct ?

              • The total charge of the two spheres is conserved.
              • Both spheres attain the same potential.
              • The final potential of the system equals $\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(q_1 + q_2)}{(r_1 + r_2)}$
              • The final potential of the system equals $\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(q_1 + q_2) (r_1 + r_2)}{r_1 r_2}$

            • 4.
              Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow.
              In an experiment with convex lens of focal length f, the screen is fixed at a distance D from the object. A student slowly moves the lens away from the object towards the screen and finds that she is able to form sharp image of the object for two positions of the lens. The distance between these two positions of the lens is d.


                • 5.
                  If T is the time period of the rotation of the coil, at what values of t in a cycle, the emf generator is maximum ?


                    • 6.
                      Capacitors are manufactured with certain standard capacitances and working voltages. However, these standard values may not be the ones that are actually needed in a particular application. Two or more capacitors can be grouped in series or in parallel to achieve desired capacitance and voltage. When connected in series, the total capacitance decreases while the voltage rating increases, whereas in parallel connections, the total capacitance increases and maintains the same voltage rating. A capacitor stores energy in the electric field between its plates and stored energy is proportional to the square of the voltage and capacitance $U = \frac{1}{2}CV^2$, where symbols have their usual meanings.
                      Two capacitors, one of $3 \ \mu$F and the other of $6 \ \mu$F, are connected in series in the circuit as shown in the figure, for a long time. }

                        CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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