Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]PhysicsElectric Field and Potential
If an electric dipole is positioned in a uniform electric field, the net electric force exerted on the dipole
Options
- Acan never equal zero
- Bwill always be zero
- Cvaries with the strength of the dipole
- Ddepends on the dipole's orientation
Correct answer
B. will always be zero
Step-by-step solution
An electric dipole consists of two equal and opposite charges, +q and -q , separated by a small distance. When placed in a uniform electric field E , the force experienced by the positive charge is F _ + = q E and the force experienced by the negative charge is F _ - = -q E . The net electric force on the dipole is the vector sum of the forces acting on the individual charges: F _ net = F _ + + F _ - = q E - q E = 0 Thus, the net electric force on an electric dipole in a uniform electric field is always zero, regar