What is Dipole?
An electric dipole comprises of two equal and opposite point charges separated by a small distance. This configuration generates an electric field, which is characterized by its dipole moment. The dipole moment is a vector quantity pointing from the negative to the positive charge, with magnitude equal to the product of the charge magnitude and the distance between them.
Dipole in a Uniform External FieldDipole in a Uniform External Field
If a dipole is in a uniform electric field, it will experience some force and a rotating effect. This rotating effect is known as ‘torque’. Torque is a vector quantity, and its direction generally depends only on the force applied. The torque is calculated based on the rotational effect experienced by the electric dipole as a result of its interaction with the electric field. It arises from the alignment of the dipole moment, which is a vector pointing from the negative to the positive charge, with the direction of the electric field.
In this article we will learn about the topic dipole in a uniform external field but first revise the basic terms like “Torque”, “Dipole”, “electric field”, and dipole in a uniform external field study material.