Question

An electric dipole consists of two charges of 0.1 micro columb separated by a distance of 2.0 cm the dipole is placed in an electric field of 10 power 5 N/C . What is the maximum torque does the field exerts on the dipole

Answer 1

Answer:

An electric dipole consists of two charges of

separated bu a distance of

. The dipole is placed in an external field of

. What maximum torqur does the field exert on the dipole?

Answer 2

Answer:

0.2 x 10^(-3) or 2 x 10^(-4) Nm

Explanation:

Dipole moment(p) = 2lq = dq

Dipole moment = (2cm)(0.1u C)

Dipole moment = 0.2 x 10^(-8) C m

Electric field(E) = 10^(5) N/C

Using torque = p x E (vector product)

=> torque = pEsin∅

For torque to be maximum, sin∅ must be maximum i.e. 1.

=> max. torque = pE(1)

=> max. torque = 0.2 x 10^(-8) × 10^(5)

=> max. torque = 0.2 x 10^(-3) Nm

Note that: if charges are 1u C & not 0.1u C and E is 10^(-5) N/C & not 10^(5), then the answer is 2 x 10^(-12).