Electric Dipole MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Electric Dipole - Download Free PDF

Last updated on May 20, 2025

Latest Electric Dipole MCQ Objective Questions

Electric Dipole Question 1:

Charges Q, 2Q and 4Q are uniformly distributed in three dielectric solid spheres 1, 2 and 3 of radii R/2, R and 2R respectively, as shown in figure. If magnitudes of the electric fields at point P at a distance R from the centre of spheres 1, 2 and 3 are \(E_1\), \(E_2\) and \(E_3\) respectively, then :
10-4-2025 IMG-639 -8

  1. \(E_1 > E_2 > E_3\)
  2. \(E_3 > E_1 > E_2\)
  3. \(E_2 > E_1 > E_3\)
  4. \(E_3 > E_2 > E_1\)
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : \(E_2 > E_1 > E_3\)

Electric Dipole Question 1 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

For a point outside sphere, we have,

\(E=\frac{Q}{4 \pi \varepsilon _{o} R^{2}}\)

\(1. Q \rightarrow Q, R \rightarrow R \Rightarrow E_{1}=E\)

\(2. Q \rightarrow 2Q, R \rightarrow R \Rightarrow E_{2}=2E\)

\(3. Q \rightarrow Q', R \rightarrow R \Rightarrow E_{3}=\rho R/3\epsilon_0 \\ \Rightarrow E_3=\frac{4Q}{4/3\pi (2R)^3}\frac{R}{3\epsilon_0} =E/2\)

\(\Rightarrow E_{2}>E_{1}>E_{3}\)

Electric Dipole Question 2:

Torque acting on electric dipole moment \(\overrightarrow{P}\) placed in uniform electric field \(\overrightarrow{E}\) is 

  1. \(\overrightarrow{P}\) x \(\overrightarrow{E}\)
  2. \(\overrightarrow{P}\) .  \(\overrightarrow{E}\)
  3. \(\overrightarrow{P}\) x  \(\overrightarrow{E}\) x  \(\overrightarrow{P}\)
  4. \(\frac{\overrightarrow{E} . \overrightarrow{P}}{D^{2}}\)

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : \(\overrightarrow{P}\) x \(\overrightarrow{E}\)

Electric Dipole Question 2 Detailed Solution

Explanation:

An electric dipole in a uniform electric field experiences a torque that tends to align the dipole with the electric field. The torque ( ) acting on an electric dipole moment ( ) placed in a uniform electric field ( ) is given by the vector cross product of the dipole moment and the electric field.

The formula for the torque is:

The cross product of two vectors results in a vector that is perpendicular to both, and its magnitude is given by the product of the magnitudes of the two vectors and the sine of the angle between them.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 1: .

∴ The torque acting on the electric dipole is .

Electric Dipole Question 3:

An electric dipole with dipole moment 4 × 10-9 cm is aligned at 60° with the direction of a uniform electric field of magnitude 5 × 104 NC-1. Calculate the magnitude of the torque acting on the dipole.

  1. 17.3 × 10-5 Nm
  2. 1.73 × 10-4 Nm
  3. 1.73 × 10-5 Nm
  4. 17.3 × 10-4 Nm

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 1.73 × 10-4 Nm

Electric Dipole Question 3 Detailed Solution

Concept:

Torque on an Electric Dipole in an Electric Field:

The torque (τ) acting on an electric dipole placed in a uniform electric field is given by the formula:

τ = pE sin(θ)

Where:

τ is the torque,

p is the dipole moment,

E is the magnitude of the electric field, and

θ is the angle between the dipole moment and the electric field.

Calculation:

Given:

Dipole moment, p = 4 × 10−9 C·m

Electric field, E = 5 × 104 N/C

Angle, θ = 60°

Using the formula for torque:

⇒ τ = pE sin(θ)

⇒ τ = (4 × 10−9 C·m) × (5 × 104 N/C) × sin(60°)

⇒ τ ≈ 1.73 × 10−4 N·m

∴ The magnitude of the torque acting on the dipole is 1.73 × 10−4 N·m.

Electric Dipole Question 4:

A molecule of a substance has a permanent electric dipole moment of magnitude 10-31 Cm. A mole of this substance is 100% polarised by applying a strong  electrostatic field of magnitude 108 Vm1. The direction of field is suddenly changed by all angle of 60°. Find the heat released by substance in aligning its dipoles along the new direction of the field.

[Take 1 mole = 6 × 1023 molecules]

  1. -9J
  2. -3J
  3. 9J
  4. 3J

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : 3J

Electric Dipole Question 4 Detailed Solution

Ans.(4)

Sol.

Dipole moment of each molecule = 10-30 cm.

As 1 mole of the substance contains 6 × 1023

molecules Total dipole moment of all the molecules

p = 6 × 1023 × 10-30 Cm = 6 × 10-7 Cm

Initial potential energy Ui = pEcos θ = -6 × 10-7 × 107 cos 0° = -6]

Final potential energy Uf = -6 × 10-6 × 106 × cos 60° = -3J

Work done (Change in potential energy)

= -[(-3) - (-6)] = 3J

Electric Dipole Question 5:

For an electric dipole in a non-uniform electric field with dipole moment parallel to direction of the field, the force F and torque τ on the dipole respectively are ____________.

Fill in the blank with the correct answer from the options given below.

  1. F = 0, τ = 0
  2. F ≠ 0, τ = 0
  3. F = 0, τ 0
  4. F 0, τ 0

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : F ≠ 0, τ = 0

Electric Dipole Question 5 Detailed Solution

Concept:

For an electric dipole in a non-uniform electric field, the force and torque on the dipole depend on the alignment of the dipole moment with respect to the electric field.

Explanation: 

When the dipole moment p" id="MathJax-Element-764-Frame" role="presentation" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0">p is parallel to the direction of the non-uniform electric field E" id="MathJax-Element-765-Frame" role="presentation" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0">E , the force F" id="MathJax-Element-766-Frame" role="presentation" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0">F and torque τ" id="MathJax-Element-767-Frame" role="presentation" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0">τ on the dipole can be determined as follows:

The force F" id="MathJax-Element-768-Frame" role="presentation" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0">F on a dipole in a non-uniform electric field is given by:

\(\mathbf{F} = (\mathbf{p} \cdot \nabla) \mathbf{E}\)

Since the field is non-uniform, F" id="MathJax-Element-769-Frame" role="presentation" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0">F is not zero.

The torque τ" id="MathJax-Element-770-Frame" role="presentation" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0">τ on the dipole is given by:

\(\tau = \mathbf{p} \times \mathbf{E}\)

When p" id="MathJax-Element-771-Frame" role="presentation" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0">p is parallel to E" id="MathJax-Element-772-Frame" role="presentation" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0">E , the cross product is zero, hence τ=0" id="MathJax-Element-773-Frame" role="presentation" style="position: relative;" tabindex="0">τ=0 .

Therefore, for an electric dipole in a non-uniform electric field with the dipole moment parallel to the direction of the field, the force and torque on the dipole respectively are:

The correct option is (2) F ≠ 0, τ = 0.

Top Electric Dipole MCQ Objective Questions

The SI unit of electric dipole moment is:

  1. C
  2. Cm-1
  3. Cm
  4. None of these

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Cm

Electric Dipole Question 6 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Electric dipole: When two equal and opposite charges are placed at a very small distance to each other then this arrangement is called an electric dipole. 
  • Electric dipole moment: It is defined as the product of the magnitude of one charge and the distance between the charges in an electric dipole.

⇒ P = q × 2r

Where 2r = distance between the two charges

EXPLANATION:

  • The electric dipole moment is defined as the product of the magnitude of one charge and the distance between the charges in an electric dipole.

⇒ P = q × 2r     -----(1)

Where P = electric dipole moment, 2r = = distance between the two charges and q = charge

  • As we know, the SI unit of charge is Coulomb and that of distance is meter.
  • Therefore, the SI unit of electric dipole moment is Coulomb-metre.
  • Hence, option 3 is correct.

Two charges 20 C and - 20 C are separated from each other by a distance of 2 cm. Then find the magnitude of electric dipole moment.

  1. 0
  2. 0.2 Cm
  3. 0.4 Cm
  4. 0.8 Cm

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 0.4 Cm

Electric Dipole Question 7 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Electric dipole: When two equal and opposite charges are separated by a small distance then this combination of charges is called an electric dipole.
  • Electric dipole moment: The multiplication of charge and the distance between them is called an electric dipole moment.
    • The electric dipole moment is denoted by P.
    • The SI unit of dipole moment is Coulombmeter (Cm)

The Strength of Dipole moment = \(\vec P\) = q × d

Where q is charge and d is the distance between two charged particles.

CALCULATION:

Given that:

The magnitude of Charge of each particle (q) = 20 C

Distance between them (d) = 2 cm = 2 × 10-2 m 

Electric dipole moment (P) = q × d = 20 C × 2 × 10-2 m = 0.4 C.m

Hence option 3 is correct.

An electric dipole of dipole moment p is placed in an electric field E. The torque exerted by the field on the dipole is:

  1. parallel to both the field and the dipole moment
  2. perpendicular to both the field and the dipole moment
  3. parallel to the field and perpendicular to the dipole moment
  4. parallel to dipole moment and perpendicular to the field.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : perpendicular to both the field and the dipole moment

Electric Dipole Question 8 Detailed Solution

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The torque for a dipole placed in the electric field is given by:

\(\vec \tau = \vec p \times \vec E\)

Since it is a cross product, we conclude that the torque exerted by the field on the dipole is perpendicular to both the field and the dipole moment

Derivation:

The measure of force that causes an object to rotate about an axis is known as torque. Torque is a vector quantity and its direction depends on the direction of the force on the axis. The magnitude of the torque vector is calculated as follows:

τ = Fr sinθ

where r is the length of the moment arm

θ is the angle between the moment arm and the force vector

Electric Dipole: A pair of electric charges with an equal magnitude but opposite charges separated by a distance d is known as an electric dipole.

The electric dipole moment is a vector having a defined direction from the negative charge to the positive charge.

\(\vec p = q\vec d\)

Consider a dipole with charges +q and –q forming a dipole since they are a distance d away from each other. Let it be placed in a uniform electric field of strength E such that the axis of the dipole forms an angle θ with the electric field.

F2 Shubham.B 17-12-20 Savita D 2

The force on the charges is:

\({\vec F_ + } = + q\vec E\)

\({\vec F_ - } = - q\vec E\)

The components of force perpendicular to the dipole are:

\(F_ + ^ + = + qE\sin \theta \)

\(F_ - ^ + = - qE\sin \theta \)

Since the force magnitudes are equal and are separated by a distance d, the torque on the dipole is given by:

Torque (τ) = Force × distance separating forces

τ = d qE sin θ

Since dipole moment is given by p = qd, and the direction of the dipole moment is from the positive to the negative charge; it can be seen from the above equation that the torque is the cross product of the dipole moment and electric field.

Notice that the torque is in the clockwise direction (hence negative) in the above figure if the direction of the Electric field is positive.

∴ τ = -pE sin θ, or

\(\vec \tau = \vec p \times \vec E\)

\(\left| {\vec \tau } \right| = \left| {\vec p \times \vec E} \right| = pE\sin \theta \)

An electric dipole is kept in non-uniform electric field. It generally experiences

  1. A force and torque
  2. A force but not a torque
  3. A torque but not a force
  4. Neither a force nor a torque

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : A force and torque

Electric Dipole Question 9 Detailed Solution

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Concept:

  • Assume an electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field as shown in figure.
  • Each charge of dipole experiences a force qE in electric field.
  • Since points of action of these forces are different, these equal and anti-parallel forces give rise to a couple that rotate the dipole and make the dipole to align in the direction of field.
  • The torque τ experienced by the dipole is (qE) × (2dsinθ), where, 2d is the length of dipole and θ is the angle between dipole and field direction.

F1 P.Y Madhu 16.04.20 D6


Explanation:

From the above explanation we can say that an electric dipole generally experiences a force and a torque both

Notes:

  • When the dipole is placed in uniform electric field, net force on the dipole is zero.
  • When the dipole is placed in non-uniform electric field, it experiences both force as well as torque.

If an electric dipole is placed inside a uniform electric field, then

  1. \({\rm{Torque\;}}\left( {\vec \tau } \right) = \vec p \times \;\vec E\) and Force = 0
  2. Force = - qE and Torque = 0
  3. \({\rm{Torque\;}}\left( {\vec \tau } \right) = \frac{{\vec p}}{{\vec E}}\) and Force = +qE
  4. Torque = 0 and Force = 0

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : \({\rm{Torque\;}}\left( {\vec \tau } \right) = \vec p \times \;\vec E\) and Force = 0

Electric Dipole Question 10 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

F1 P.Y Madhu 16.04.20 D6 1

  • Consider an electric dipole consisting of two equal and opposite point charge -q at A and +q at point B separated by a small distance AB = 2l, having dipole moment p = q x 2a directed from -q to +q along the axis of the dipole.


EXPLANATION:

  • Let this dipole be placed in a uniform electric field E at an angle θ with the direction of E. Force on charge +q at A = qE, along the direction of E. Force on charge -q at B = qE, along the direction opposite to E.
  • Since electric field (E) is uniform, therefore, net force on the dipole is 0. However, as the forces are equal, unlike and parallel, acting at different points, therefore, they form a couple which rotates the dipole. Hence, the couple tends to align the dipole along the direction of the electric field (E).


∴ τ = force × arms of couple

τ = F × 2asinθ = (qE) × 2asinθ

τ = (q × 2a)E sinθ             \(\left| {\vec p} \right| = \left( {q\;x\;2a} \right)\)

τ = pE sinθ

\(\vec \tau = \vec p \times \;\vec E\)

In an electric dipole value of charge is 3.2 × 10−19 coulomb and distance between charges is 2.4 Å It is placed in electric field of 4 × 105volt/m, then dipole moment of dipole is:

  1. 9.6 × 10-5 coulomb-metre
  2. 12.8 × 10−14 coulomb-metre
  3. 7.68 × 10−29 coulomb-metre
  4. 30 × 10−24 coulomb-metre

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 7.68 × 10−29 coulomb-metre

Electric Dipole Question 11 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Electric dipole: When two equal and opposite charges are placed at a very small distance to each other then this arrangement is called an electric dipole. 
  • Electric dipole moment: It is defined as the product of the magnitude of one charge and the distance between the charges in an electric dipole.

⇒ P = q × 2r     -----(3)

Where 2r = distance between the two charges

CALCULATION:

Given q = 3.2 × 10−19 coulomb, 2r = 2.4 Å = 2.4 × 10-10 m and E = 4 × 10volt/m

  • The dipole moment does not depend on the electric field, therefore the dipole moment of a dipole is

⇒ P = q × 2r

⇒ P = 3.2 × 10−19 × 2.4 × 10-10

⇒ P = 7.68 × 10-29 C-m

  • Hence, option 3 is correct.

An electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field. The net electric force on the dipole

  1. Always zero
  2. Always - ve
  3. Depends on the orientation of the dipole
  4. None of these

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Always zero

Electric Dipole Question 12 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • An electric dipole is a system of two equal and opposite charges separated by a fixed distance and the strength of a dipole is measured by dipole moment. It is calculated as P = q x 2a

F1 P.Y Madhu 9.03.20 D7

EXPLANATION

  • When a dipole is placed in an electric field each charge experiences a force that is equal to F = qE.
  • Force on a negative charge is F-q = -qE and its direction are in the opposite of direction of the electric field.
  • Force on positive charge q is Fq = qE and its direction is in the direction of the electric field.
  • The net force on the dipole is F = F-q+ Fq = -qE + qE = 0
  • So, the correct answer will be option 1.

Important Points 

  • When the dipole is placed in a uniform electric field, the net force on the dipole is zero.
  • When the dipole is placed in a non-uniform electric field, it experiences both forces as well as torque.

A dipole is placed in an electric field as shown. In which direction will it move ? 

F1 Ankita Others 25-7-22 D11

  1. towards the right as its potential energy will increase. 
  2. towards the left as its potential energy will increase. 
  3. towards the right as its potential energy will decrease.
  4. towards the left as its potential energy will decrease. 

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : towards the right as its potential energy will decrease.

Electric Dipole Question 13 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

The potential energy of electric dipole in an external electric field is written as

\(U = - \overrightarrow P .\overrightarrow E \) -----(1)

Where P is the dipole and E is the electric field.

CALCULATION:

F1 Ankita Others 25-7-22 D12

Using equation (1) we get;

\(U = - \overrightarrow P .\overrightarrow E \)

⇒ U = – PEcosθ 

The angle between the electric field and the electric dipole is 180°, therefore,

U = –PEcos180°

U = + PE

On moving towards the right electric field strength decrease therefore potential energy decrease.

The net force on the electric dipole is towards the right and the net torque acting on it is zero.

So, it will move towards the right.

What will be the electric field intensity at the point P due to a short dipole if the dipole is placed in air or vaccum?

  1. \(\frac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}\frac{{2p}}{{{r^2}}}\)
  2. \(\frac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0K}}}\frac{{2p}}{{{r^2}}}\)
  3. \(\frac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}\frac{{2p}}{{{r^3}}}\)
  4. \(\frac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0K}}}\frac{{2p}}{{{r^3}}}\)

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : \(\frac{1}{{4\pi {\varepsilon _0}}}\frac{{2p}}{{{r^3}}}\)

Electric Dipole Question 14 Detailed Solution

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Given:

A short dipole in air or vacuum

Concept:

An electric dipole is is a system of two-point charges of equal and opposite magnitude placed at a short distance.

Formula:

For a dipole, dipole moment,

p = q(2l)

Calculations:

F2 Savita Engineering 28-6-22 D2

E(+q) = \(\frac{q}{4\pi \epsilon 0(r-l)^2}\) towards BP

E(-q) = \(\frac{q}{4\pi \epsilon 0(r+l)^2}\) towards PA

E = E(+q) - E(-q)

⇒ E = \(\frac{q}{4\pi \epsilon 0(r-l)^2} -\frac{q}{4\pi \epsilon 0(r+l)^2}\)

⇒ E = \(\frac{4qlr}{4\pi \epsilon 0(r^2-l^2)^2}\)

⇒ E = \(\frac{2q(2l)r}{4\pi \epsilon 0(r^2-l^2)^2}\)

But q(2l) = p and for a short dipole r- l2 ≈ r2 as l << r

⇒ E = \(\frac{2pr}{4\pi \epsilon 0r^4}\)

⇒ E\(\frac{2p}{4\pi \epsilon 0r^3}\)

If \({\vec E_{ax}}\) and \({\vec E_{eq}}\) represents electric field at a point on the axial and equatorial line of a dipole. If points are at a distance r from the centre of the dipole, for r ≫ a

  1. \({\vec E_{ax}} = {\vec E_{eq}}\)
  2. \({\vec E_{ax}} = - {\vec E_{eq}}\)
  3. \({\vec E_{ax}} = - 2{\vec E_{eq}}\)
  4. \({\vec E_{eq}} = 2{\vec E_{ax}}\)

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : \({\vec E_{ax}} = - 2{\vec E_{eq}}\)

Electric Dipole Question 15 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Electric dipole: When two equal and opposite charges are separated by a small distance then this combination of charges are called as electric dipole.
  • The multiplication of charge and the distance between them is called as electric dipole moment.
  • The electric dipole moment is denoted by P and the SI unit of dipole moment is Coulombmeter (Cm)

Dipole moment = P = q × d

Where q is charge and d is distance between two charge particles.

  • The direction electric dipole moment is from negative charge to positive charge.
  • The space or region around the electric charge in which electrostatic force can be experienced by other charge particle is called as electric field by that electric charge.

F1 J.K 16.4.20 Pallavi D5

The electric field on axial line (at point B):

\(\overrightarrow {{E_{ax}}} = \frac{1}{{4\pi {_0}}}\frac{{2\;\vec P}}{{{r^3}}}\)

The electric field on equatorial line (at point A):

\(\overrightarrow{{{E}_{eq}}}=\frac{-~1}{4\pi {{\epsilon }_{0}}}\frac{~\vec{P}}{{{r}^{3}}}\)

Where  is dipole moment of the electric dipole, ϵ0 is permittivity of free space and r is distance of points A and B from the centre of the dipole.

EXPLANATION:

According to the given formula of the electric field at two points A and B:

\(\overrightarrow{{{E}_{ax}}}=\frac{1}{4\pi {{\epsilon }_{0}}}\frac{2~\vec{P}}{{{r}^{3}}}\)

\(\overrightarrow{{{E}_{eq}}}=\frac{-~1}{4\pi {{\epsilon }_{0}}}\frac{~\vec{P}}{{{r}^{3}}}\)

\(\overrightarrow{{{E}_{ax}}}=-2~\overrightarrow{{{E}_{eq}}}\) So option 3 is correct.

  • The direction of electric field on axial line is along in the direction of dipole moment.
  • The direction of electric field on equatorial line is along in the direction opposite to that of dipole moment.
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