Electric Dipole in a Uniform Electric Field – Rankers Physics
Topic: Electrostatics
Subtopic: Electric Dipole

Electric Dipole in a Uniform Electric Field

An electric dipole has the magnitude of its charge as \(q\) and its dipole moment is \(p\). It is placed in a uniform electric field \(E\). If its dipole moment is along the direction of the field, the force on it and its potential energy are respectively:
\(2qE\) and minimum
\(qE\) and \(pE\)
Zero and minimum
Zero and maximum

Solution:

In a uniform electric field, the net force on a dipole is always zero. The potential energy is \(U = -pE \cos(0^\circ) = -pE\), which is the minimum potential energy.

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