When an electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field, the net force on the dipole will be:

  1. Can't be zero
  2. Always zero
  3. Both 1 and 2 are correct
  4. Can't say

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Always zero
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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
  • 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    

Where 2r = distance between the two charges

EXPLANATION:

Electric dipole in a uniform external field:

  • We know that when a charge q is placed in electric field E, it experiences a force F, the force is given as,

⇒ F = qE     -----(1)

  • So when an electric dipole is placed in the electric field according to the diagram,
  • The force on the +q charge due to electric field is given as,

⇒ F1 = qE

Similarly, the force on the -q charge due to the electric field is given as,

⇒ F2 = qE

  • The force F1 and F2 will act opposite to each other.
  • So the net force on the dipole will be,

⇒ F = F1 - F2

⇒ F = qE - qE

⇒ F = 0

  • Hence, option 2 is correct.

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