Electric Dipole
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An electric dipole is defined as a pair of equal and opposite electric charges that are separated,
by a small distance. An example of an electric dipole includes two atoms separated by small
distances. The magnitude of the electric dipole is obtained by taking the product of either of the
charge and the distance between them. In this article, we will learn about electric dipole its
application, and others in detail.
What is Electric Dipole?
A pair of equal and opposite point charges q and -q separated by a distance 2a form an
electric dipole and the electric dipole moment (p) is the product of the charge and the
space between the charges (2a). It is used to determine the strength of an electric dipole.
As we know that Electric Dipole is a vector quantity ie. it has both magnitude and direction.
The magnitude of the electric dipole is the product of either of the electric charge and the
dictanca hotwaen them Tha dirartinn af the alertric dinala ic fram nanative charna ta nacitive
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acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Poly & Privacy PolicyVisualising Electric Dipole
Let's take two charges +q and -q equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, and the distance
between them is d. Then this system is called the electric dipole.
An electric dipole is denoted by the symbol “p’. It is a Vector quantity. In the image given below
two point charges +q and -q are separated by distance ‘d’ and hence the electric dipole
moment is p = qxd
Magnitude and Dimension of an Electric Dipole
An electric dipole is a vector quantity and its magnitude is given as,
Ipl = axd
It is clear that the magnitude of the electric dipole is the product of either charge with the
distance between them.
Electric Dipole is measured in Coulomb-meter. Its dimensional formula is [M° L? T? 14)
Direction of Electric Dipole Moment
Electric dipole moment is a vector quantity and hence it has a unique direction. The direction of
the electric dipole is from negative charge to positive charge. The Axis of the electric dipole
moment is the line that joins both charges.
Note: It is important to note that the direction of Electric Dipole Moment is taken from
negative end to positive end in physics. In Chemistry, the direction of Electric Dipole
Moment is taken to be opposite ie, from positive charge to negative charge.
Electric Potential due to a Dipole (V)
Let's take two charges -q and +q placed at A and B respectively. The distance between them
We use cookies fo ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our sit, you
acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Poly & Privacy PolicyV=1/ 4m, x [p cos(8)/r7]
When 6 = 0°
Then,
cos 8@=cosO°=1
Now,
V=1/4Tt€, x [p cos(8) / 17]
V=1/ Att, x [p cos(0*) / r?]
V=1/4n6, x [p/P]
When @ = 90°
Then,
cos 8 = cos 90
Now,
V=1/ Atte, x [p cos(6) / 17]
V=1/4n€, x [p cos(90°%) / 2)
Electric Field of an Electric Dipole
Coulomb's law and the superposition principle may be used to calculate the electric field of a
pair of charges (-q and q) at any point in space. For the following two scenarios, the results are
simple and clear,
1. When the point is on the dipole axis,
2. When it is on the equatorial plane of the dipole, i.e. on a plane perpendicular to the dipole
axis through its centre,
By applying the parallelogram law of vectors, the electric field at any general point P is
determined by summing the electric fields Eq due to the charge -q and E,, due to the charge
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acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Poly & Privacy PolicyFor Points on Axis
Suppose the point P be at distance r from the centre of the dipole on the side of the charge 4.
Then electric field Eq due to the charge -q can be expressed as,
ware?
Ey
where
#is the unit vector along the dipole axis that is from —q to a.
Similarly, Then electric field E,q due to the charge +q can be expressed as,
Esa = matmap
Now, the total field at P can be calculated by adding the electric fields E_, due to the charge -q
and E,,q due to the charge +q and can be expressed as,
E= water? +
= Homter?
For r >> a the above expression can be written as,
b= ohh
ba xighee
For Points on Equatorial Plane
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«understood our Cooke Polley & Privacy PolleyThen, the electric field E,q due to the charge +q can be expressed as,
sing experience on our website. By using our site, you
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Itis observed that the electric fields E_, due to the charge ~q and Ey, due to the charge +q are
equal. The Ej, and E.. directions are displayed in the above-given figure. The components
normal to the dipole axis clearly cancel out. Along the dipole axis, the components add up. The
entire electric field is in the opposite direction of P.
The above expression can be added as,
B= (Eig + Bg)oos0P
ae
ae
g
At large distances (r >> a, the above expression can be written as,
B= —ah anh
_-2ea
Be anes
At great distances, it is evident in both cases that the dipole field does not involve q and a
separately; it is dependent on the product qa. This hints at the meaning of the dipole moment.
The dipole moment of an electric dipole is a vector quantity and it is symbol is p is defined by
x 2aP
The electric field of a dipole at large distances (r >> a) assumes simple shapes in terms of p:
2p
* Ata point on the dipole axis: Tart
. a
Ata point on the equatorial plane: ror
It's worth noting that the dipole field at great distances decreases off as 1/r? rather than 1/r?.
Furthermore, the dipole field's amplitude and direction are dependent not only on the distance
r but also on the angle formed by the position vector r and the dipole moment p.
Dipole in an External Electric Field
The image given below shows an electric dipole kept in an electric field and torque applied to
it.
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acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Poly & Privacy PolicySuppose a permanent dipole in a uniform external field E with a dipole moment of p. On q,
there is a force qE and on -q, there is a force -gE. Because E is uniform, the net force on the
dipole is zero. Due to the separation of the charges, the forces operate at various places,
causing a torque on the dipole. The torque (couple) is independent of the origin when the net
force is zero. Its amplitude is equal to the sum of the magnitudes of the two antiparallel forces
multiplied by the couple's arm (perpendicular distance between the two antiparallel forces)
The magnitude of torque can be expressed as,
Ex 2asin®
T =2qanEsiné
Its direction is perpendicular to the plane of the paper, coming out of it. The magnitude of p x
is also pE sin@ and its direction is normal to the paper, coming out of it.
T==pxe
The dipole will tend to align with field E as a result of this torque. The torque is 0 when p is
aligned with €.
If the field is not uniform, the net force will undoubtedly be greater than zero. Additionally, like
before, there will be torque on the system. Because the general case is complicated, consider
the simpler cases when p is parallel to E or antiparallel to . The net torque is zero in both
cases, but there is a net force on the dipole if E is not uniform.
Far mara datail eliek Taraiie an an Flactrie Rinala in Unifarm Flectric Field
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«understood our Cooke Polley & Privacy PolleyWith the help of electric dipole moment, we can easily determine the geometry and orientation
of any compound in 3-D space.
Everything around us is made up of molecules and molecules can easily be categorized into
two categories.
* Polar Molecules
* Non-Polar Molecules
Polar Molecules: The molecules which have a net dipole movement are called polar molecules.
e.g. HCL. NaOH, ete. In an external electric field polar molecules align themselves in the
direction of the electric field.
Non-Polar Molecules: The molecules in which individual dipole moments cancel out each other
are called Non-polar molecules. i.e. in a Non-Polar molecule, the net dipole moment is Zero,
eg. CO2, O2, ete.
Read More
* Current Loop as a Magnetic Dipole
* Dipole in a Uniform Magnetic Field
Solved Examples on Electric Dipole
Example 1: Given a uniform electric field, find the flux of this field through a square of side
20 cm, whose plane is parallel to the y-z plane. What would be the flux through the same
square, if the plane makes an angle of 30° with the x-axis?
Solution:
Given,
Electric field is 5 x 10% xjo
A= 10x 10x 104m,
Flux () = EA cos @
Case 1,
0=0%
or cos 0°= 1
Therefore, Flux,
= (5 x 103) x (10 x 10 x 10°) cos 0°
bra atet
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acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Pole & Privacy PolicyAngle of square plane with x-axis = 30°
Hence, the angle will be (90°— 30°) = 60°
$= EAcos®
$ = (5x 103) x (10 x 10 x 10°) x cos 60°
$= 50x 1/2
$= 25Nm?c?
Example 2: Define the term ‘electric flux’. Write its S.. units. What is the flux due to the
electric field through a square of side 10 cm, when it is held normally too if?
Solution:
The total number of lines of force moving through an area in an electric field is known as
electric flux. It's represented by the symbol g. It's a number with a scalar value. Its §./ unit
is Nm? C1 or Vm.
It is expressed as,
o-JsB-B=2
Given,
Electric field is 3x103 N/C.
Area is (10/100)x(10/100) m? = 10? m?
0=08
or
cos 0°=1
The expression for the flux can be written as,
$ =EAcos®
Therefore, Flux, $= (3 x 10%) x (10?) cos 0°
g
ONm?Ct
FAQs on Electic Dipole
Duinetinn 1: \Mhat ie tha fren acting ana dinnla niscad in
\We use cookies fo ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our sit, you
acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Pole & Privacy PolicyAnswer:
The net force acting on the electric dipole is zero, as the dipole consists of two opposite
charges that apply force in opposite directions.
Question 2: What is the SI unit of the dipole moment?
Answer:
The dipole moment is measured in Coulomb-metre. It is also the SI of dipole movement.
Question 3: Give an example of the electric dipole.
Answer:
An example of an electric dipole is pair of electric charges of opposite signs and equal
magnitude separated by a small distance.
Question 4: What is the Direction of an Electric Dipole Moment?
Answer:
As we know that electric dipole moment is a vector quantity so it has both magnitude
and direction and its direction is always considered from the negative charge to the
positive charge.
Question 5: When is the torque maximum on a dipole?
Answer:
If the dipole is kept perpendicular to the electric field, then the torque generated is
maximum.
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acknowledge that you have read and understood our Cookie Poly & Privacy PaleyAnswer:
If the dipole is kept parallel to the electric field, then the torque generated is minimum.
Question 7: Why do the electric field lines not form closed loops?
Answer:
Because the direction of an electric field is from positive to negative charge, it does not
form closed loops. As a result, a line of force can be seen as starting with a positive
charge and terminating with a negative charge.
Last Updated : 03 Apr, 2023
Similar Reads
1. Torque on an Electric Dipole in Uniform Electric Field
2. Electric Charge and Electric Field - Electric Flux, Coulomb's Law, Sample Problems
3. Dipole Moment
4. Dipole in a Uniform Magnetic Field
5. Current Loop as a Magnetic Dipole
6. Magnetic Dipole Moment
7. Unit of Electric Charge
8. Electric Field due to Infinitely Long Straight Wire
9. Heating Effect of Electric Current.
10. Electric Charge
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