CLASS : XII

SUBJECT : PHYSICS
CHAPTER : 1-ELECTRIC CHARGES AND FIELDS
MODULE :9
PHASE :1
TEACHER : Rosephil Jose :
 Electric dipole

Case 1:
In a uniform Case 2:
In a non-uniform
electric field
electric field
(τ = P x E )
CLASS:XII SUBJECT: PHYSICS CHAPTER :1 MODULE :9 PHASE :1 2
CASE 1:Electric dipole in uniform electric field
Here we consider a permanent dipole
of dipole moment P in a uniform
electric field E .By permanent dipole
we mean that P exist irrespective of E
that is ,it is not induced by E
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Consider an electric dipole
consisting of two charges,-q and +q
separated from each other by a
distance 2a and placed in a uniform
electric field E .
Let its diploe moment P makes an
angle 𝝷 with the direction of E
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ELECTRIC DIPOLE IN UNIFORM ELECTRIC FIELD

F(+q)=q E
+q
2a
P
θ
-q
F(-q)=-q E
E
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TORQUE ACTING ON A DIPOLE
Two equal and opposite
forces acting on the dipole
constitute a couple .This
P couple tends to rotate the
dipole and tries to align
θ the dipole along the
τ E
direction of electric field E

CLASS:XII SUBJECT: PHYSICS CHAPTER :1 MODULE :9 PHASE :1 6

Charges +q and –q constituting the dipole
experience equal and opposite forces due to
E.
Force on charge –q is F(-q) = -qE
Force on charge +q is F(+q) = +qE
Net force F = F(-q) + F(+q) = (-qE) + (+qE) = 0
Thus, the net force on a dipole in a uniform
electric field is zero.
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These two equal and opposite forces acting
on the dipole constitute a couple .
This couple tends to rotate the dipole and
tries to align the dipole along the direction
of electric field E
Hence the effect of torque is to rotate and to
align the dipole along the direction of E

CLASS:XII SUBJECT: PHYSICS CHAPTER

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Moment of the couple or torque acting on the
dipole is
τ= Magnitude of x Perpendicular distance
either force between the forces
B F qE
(+q)=
+q
τ = qE x BC
2a
A P
F(-q) =-q E -q θ
C E
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:1 MODULE :9 PHASE :1
From ABC , Sin𝝷= BC  BC
AB 2a
B F(+q)=q E

2a 2aSin𝝷
A
F(-q) =-q E C E
BC  2aSin
  qE  2aSin
CLASS:XII SUBJECT: PHYSICS CHAPTER
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:1 MODULE :9 PHASE :1
BC  2aSin
  qE  2aSin
  q  2a  ESin
 
  PESin  P  E
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 τ=PxE
The effect of the torque is to
rotate and align the dipole along
the direction of E ie; tending to
align the dipole parallel to E

CLASS:XII SUBJECT: PHYSICS CHAPTER

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:1 MODULE :9 PHASE :1
 τ = P E Sin𝝷
 When 𝝷=0° ; τ =PE Sin0° ; τ=0
P ǁ E and dipole in a position of stable equilibrium
 When 𝝷=180° ; τ =PE Sin180° ; τ =0
P and E are anti-parallel and dipole is in a position
of unstable equilibrium
 When 𝝷=90° ; τ =PE Sin90° =PE
(Maximum torque acting per unit electric field)
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 THANK YOU

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