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CBSE Physics Grade 12 Electric Potential due to Dipole

Question Answers Related Questions

Derive an expression for electric potential at point due to an electric dipole.

Discuss the special cases.
Answer Verified

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Hint: An electric dipole is a pair of two charges equal in magnitude (q) but opposite in nature (i.e. one is a
positive charge and other is a negative charge). The two charges are separated by a distance of length 2a.

Kq
Formula used: V =
r

(1 ± x)
n
≈ 1 ± nx , if x is very much small.

Complete step by step answer:

An electric dipole is a pair of two charges equal in magnitude (q) but opposite in nature (i.e. one is a
positive charge and other is a negative charge). The two charges are separated by a distance of length 2a.
An electric dipole has a quantity called its dipole moment given by P=2qa.
 A sketch of an electric dipole is shown below. STUDENTS ALSO READ

Electric Potential Dipole

Electric Potential - Point Charge

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Let an electric dipole with charges +q and –q lie on x-axis with the origin as the midpoint of the dipole. and Electric Potential

Consider a point P at the coordinates (x,y). The distance of the point from origin be r making an angle θ Deriving Electric Field From
Potential
with positive x-axis.
Electric Field Due to Point Charge

Electric Dipole

Dipole Electric Field

Electric Dipole Moment

Dielectric Polarization and

Electric Dipole Moment

Potential Energy of Charges in an

Electric Field

Electric potential due to a charge q at a point, which is at a distance r from the charge is given as
Kq
V = , Where V is the potential due to the charge and K is permittivity of free space. Now, the
r

electric potential at point P will be due two charges (+q and -q).

Let the potential due to charge +q be V . 1

Let the potential due to charge -q be V . 2

Let the total electric potential due to both the charges be V.

Since, electric potential is a scalar quantity, V = V1 + V2 .

If you see the given figure,

 Kq
V1 = ………………(i).
r1

Since, is right-angled triangle, r 1

2
= (x − a)
2
+ y
2
.
−−−−−−−−−−−
2 2
⇒ r1 = √(x − a) + y

Substitute the value of r in equation (i). 1

Kq
Therefore, V 1 =
−−−−−−−−−−−
.
2
√(x − a) 2
+ y

And
Kq
V2 = − ………. (ii).
r2

Is also a right-angled triangle. Therefore, r 2

2
= (x + a)
2
+ y
2
.
−−−−−−−−−−−
2
2
⇒ r2 = √(x + a) + y

Substitute the value of r in equation (ii). 2

−Kq
Therefore, V 2 =
−−−−−−−−−−−
.
2 2
√(x + a) + y

Kq Kq
This implies that V = V1 + V2 = −−−−−−−−−−− − −−−−−−−−−−−
2 2
√(x − a) 2 √(x + a) 2
+ y + y

⎛ ⎞
1 1
V = Kq ⎜
−−−−−−−−−−−
−
−−−−−−−−−−−⎟
…….(iii).
2 2
2 2
⎝ √(x − a) + y √(x + a) + y ⎠

−−−−−−−−−−−
Consider the expression √(x ± a) 2
+ y
2
.

Open up the brackets.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
2 2
⇒ √x ± 2ax + a + y
2
. …………... (1)

But x 2
+ y
2
= r
2
.
−−−−−−−−−−−
Therefore, expression (1) can be written as √r 2
± 2ax + a
2
.
−−−−−−−−−−− −− −−−−−
Since r>>>>a, √r 2
± 2ax + a
2 2
≈ √r ± 2ax .

From the figure we know, x = rcosθ . Substitute the value of x in the above equation.
−− −−−−− −− −−−−−−−−−
Therefore, √r 2 2
± 2ax = √r ± 2ar cos θ .

Take r as a common term.

2

−−−−−− −−− −
−− −−−−−−−−− 2a cos θ
2
⇒ √r ± 2ar cos θ = r√1 ± …….(2).
r

2a cos θ
Here, is a very much small value because r>>>>a.
r

Any term (1 ± x) , if x is a very much small value or almost equal to zero.

n
≈ 1 ± nx

Let us use the same concept in equation (2).

Therefore,
1
−−−−−− −−− −
2a cos θ 2a cos θ 2 1 2a cos θ a cos θ
r√1 ± = r(1 ± ) ≈ r (1 ± ( )) = r (1 ± ) = r ± a cos θ .
r r 2 r r
−−−−−−−−−−−
Hence, we get that √(x ± a) 2
+ y
2
≈ r ± a cos θ

−−−−−−−−−−− −−−−−−−−−−−
Therefore, √(x + a) 2
+ y
2
≈ r + a cos θ and √(x − a) 2
+ y
2
≈ r − a cos θ

Thence we can write equation (iii) as

1 1
V = Kq ( − )
r − a cos θ r + a cos θ

r + a cos θ − (r − a cos θ)
⇒ V = Kq ( )
(r − a cos θ) (r + a cos θ)

r + a cos θ − r + a cos θ
⇒ V = Kq ( )
2 2 2
(r − a cos θ)

2a cos θ
⇒ V = Kq (
2 2 2
) .
(r − a cos θ)

We know that 2qa=P.

 KP cos θ
⇒ V =
2 2 2
……..(iv).
r − a cos θ

KP cos θ
Therefore, the electric potential due to an electric dipole at a given point is equal to 2 2 2
.
r − a cos θ

Special cases:

(i) When the given point is on the axial line of the dipole (i.e. θ = 0 ).

Substitute θ = 0 in equation (iv).

KP cos 0
Therefore, V =
2 2 2
.
r − a cos 0

We know cos 0 = 1 .
KP cos 0 KP
Hence, V =
2 2 2
=
2 2
r − a cos 0 r − a

π
(ii) When the given point is on the equatorial axis of the dipole (i.e. θ = )
2

π
Substitute θ = in equation (iv).
2
π
KP cos( )
2
Therefore, V =
π
.
2 2 2
r − a cos ( )
2
π
We know cos( ) = 0 .
2
π
KP cos( )
KP (0)
2
Hence, V =
π
=
2 2
= 0 .
2 2 2 r − a (0)
r − a cos ( )
2

Therefore, when the given point is on the equatorial axis, the electric potential is zero.

Note: You may be thinking about the condition on r that it should be very much greater than a. there is a
valid reason for this condition. We study the concept of dipole because molecules exist in the form of
dipoles. For example, the bond between oxygen atom and hydrogen atom in water molecules is a dipole
moment. You may know that the distance between these atoms is very small and therefore it is negligible
when compared to the distance r, from its midpoint.

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Related Questions

Two dipoles each of moment 5 × 10 −12

Cm form a cross with their axis (- to +) along the coordinate axes.

The potential at a point 20cm away in a direction making an angle of 30 with axis is ∘

A. 1.12 V
B. 2.12 V
C. 2.4 V
D. 1.536 V

Two point charges $$ \pm 3.2 \times {10^{ - 6}}C$$ are separated by a distance of $2.4 \times {10^{ - 10}}$
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with the dipole.
A. $7.68 \times {10^{ - 3}}V$
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C. $\sqrt 3 \times 1.97 \times {10^{ - 3}}V$
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