A rigid dipole undergoes a simple harmonic motion about its centre in the presence of an electric field E ₁=E₀ x . If another electric field E ₂=2E₀( y + z ) is introduced to the system, what will be the percentage change in the frequency of the oscillation (approximate)?

Step-by-step solution

The frequency of oscillation of a rigid dipole in an electric field is given by f = 1 2 pE I , where p is the dipole moment, E is the magnitude of the electric field, and I is the moment of inertia. This implies f E . The initial electric field is E ₁ = E₀ x , so its magnitude is E₁ = E₀ . The initial frequency is f₁ E₀ . When the second electric field E ₂ = 2E₀( y + z ) is introduced, the net electric field becomes E _ net = E ₁ + E ₂ = E₀ x + 2E₀ y + 2E₀ z . The magnitude of the net electric field is E_ net = E₀^