AL HARAMAIN ENGLISH

SCHOOL

PHYSICS
INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT

PREPARED BY

ADHIL SHABEER K
XII-D
CERTIFICATE

page 1
ACKNOWLEDGE

Page 2
 INDEX

SI NO TOPIC PAGE NO

1. INTRODUCTION
2. MATERIAL REQUIRES
3. PROCEDURE
4. RESULT AND OBSERVATION
5. CONCLUSION
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 INTRODUCTION
As we are familiar with the concept of electric
dipole, let us now look at the concept of torque on
a dipole which is a simple topic and a scoring one.
A dipole is a magnetised pole with an equal
amount of positive and negative charges separated
by distance (d). When a dipole is in a uniform
electric field, it will experience some form of force
and acquire a rotating effect. This rotating effect
is known as ‘torque’. The term “torque” comes
from Latin, meaning “to twist”. Torque is a vector
quantity, and its direction generally depends on
the force applied to an object at any point. The
Torque can be calculated by estimating the
negative and positive charges’ overall rotation in
an electric field. To understand the torque on a
dipole in a uniform electric field. Let’s first revise
the basic terms like “Torque”, “Dipole”, and
“electric field”.
 MATERIALS
REQURED
Charged conductor
battery
switch
 PROCEDURE
TORQUE
By definition, Torque measures the
force that causes an object to rotate
about its axis. It is also considered a
rotational force, moment, a
moment of force, or turning effect.
It depends on the direction and
magnitude in which one applies the
turning momentum. Torque can be
thought of as a rotational
equivalent to force, and the SI unit
of torque is called a newton metre
(Nm).
The symbol for torque is typical “τ”. The
magnitude of torque depends on 3 variables: the
force applied, the length of the lever arm
connecting the origin to the point where the force
is applied, and the angle between these two.

The torque magnitude is determined as follows:

τ = F r sinθ
F = force acting on the axis,
r = the length of moment arm,
θ = the angle between the force vector and
moment arm, &
τ = the torque vector

DIPOLE
Dipoles are extremely prevalent. They are essentially two
charges separated by some type of non-conducting medium
(e.g., air, vacuum, etc.).
An example of a dipole can be seen in the electromagnetic wave,
where a dipole in a uniform electric field is polarised. A dipole in an
electromagnetic system deals with the positive and negative charges
separated by a distance. It is characterised by their dipole moment, a
vector quantity.
The forces associated with electric fields are mediated by the
movement of charge. In the case of a simple dipole, there will be an
attractive force between the positive charge and the negative charge,
even if they are very distant from one another.
The dipole moment is p = q x d
q = the magnitude of charge &
d = the separating distance

ELECTRIC FIELD
The strength of an electric field is measured in Volt/metre [V/(m)]. An
electric field has both direction and magnitude, which means it can
have different magnitudes, directions, or even both in different regions
of space.
The electric field lines are the trajectories of the electric force;
whenever an object with a charge moves, through
electromagnetic forces, it will follow these paths. The
direction that the force is applied on determines which way
the field line will be drawn (remember that like charges repel
and opposites attract).

The electric field is explained as E = F/q

F = force exerts on the charge by an electric field
q = the charge
TORQUE ON A DIPOLE IN
A UNIFORM ELECTRIC
FIELD
Consider an electric dipole placed in a uniform external field ‘E’
to calculate the torque acting on a dipole. It will calculate the
torque on a dipole in a uniform electric field. The positive charge
experiences a force that is magnitude qE upwards or downwards.
At the same time, its opposite charge also experiences this same
magnitude but with directions reversed due to polarity between
charges (+/-). It can be observed that the net force is zero, and
the dipole is in translational equilibrium.
As mentioned above, when torque acts on a dipole, the electric
dipole rests in translational equilibrium since the net force is
zero. But how does rotational equilibrium come into play here?
Considering this case, the dipole might stay in a stationary
position.
Derivation of Torque on a Dipole in a Uniform Electric Eield

Consider a dipole with charges +q and –q separated by a distance of

d. The axis of the electric dipole forms an angle θ with the electric
field when the Electric Dipole is placed in the uniform electric field
of strength E.
The force on both the positive and negative charges will be
F+ = + qE
F– = – qE
The forces perpendicular to the dipole is:
F+ ⊥ = +qEsinθ
⊥
F– = -qEsinθ
Since these components are separated by a distance d and are equal,
the torque on the dipole is:
T = (q E sinθ) d = q d E sinθ
Here
T = Torque
q= the charge
E = Electric field strength
d= distance between the charges.
Dipole moment is given by:
P = qd (q= charge, d = distance between the charge)

The direction is from positive to negative charge for dipole

moments. The torque acting on a dipole is the cross product of
electric field and dipole moment as we can look into the formula.
T = P x E ( Cross product)

The equation has revealed that both electrostatic forces (qE)

function as torque when applied in the clockwise direction.
Therefore, torque on a dipole in a uniform electric fieldgets to
rotate.

The important thing is to remember that torque always operates in

a couple. That’s why its magnitude is equivalent to the sum of the
resultant product of force & its arm. The arm can be thought of as
the distance between the point at which force operates and the
point at which rotation occurs for the dipole in a uniform external
field.
 RESULT AND
OBSERVATION
A dipole is a magnetised pole with an
equal amount of positive and
negative charges separated by
distance (d). When a dipole is in a
uniform electric field, it will
experience some form of force and
acquire a rotating effect. This rotating
effect is known as 'torque'.
 CONCLUSION
The paragraphs above will clear your
doubts on the concept of how torque
on a dipole in a uniform electric field
works. The article discussed the basic
terminology of Torque on Dipole in the
uniform electric field, including the
definition of torque, dipole, and
electric field, along with the formulae.
The article also discussed derivation
and the method of calculating torque.
For further understanding and in-
depth knowledge, read more articles
on the electric field, electric field due
to a point charge, electric field lines,
and electric dipole.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki
/Electric_dipole_moment
https://www.geeksforgee
ks.org/torque-on-an-
electric-dipole-in-
uniform-electric-
field/amp/