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A dipole is in unstable equilibrium in an electric field when the external electric field opposes the natural alignment of the dipole moment. This causes the dipole to experience a torque that rotates it away from its equilibrium position. If the force pushing the dipole away from equilibrium is stronger than any restoring forces, the equilibrium is considered unstable.

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Which orientation of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field would correspond to stable equilibrium?

when angle 0 b/w dipole moment vector p and electric field vector E is zero then potential energy of dipole, U=-pEcos0 =-pE and torque=pEsin0=0;which means that the electric dipole is in stable equilibrium.


How does a torque affect the dipole in an electric field?

A torque applied to a dipole in an electric field causes the dipole to align itself with the direction of the field. The torque will tend to rotate the dipole until it reaches the stable equilibrium position where it is aligned with the electric field.


What electric field parallel or anti parallel to the electric dipole?

An electric field parallel to an electric dipole will exert a torque on the dipole, causing it to align with the field. An electric field anti-parallel to an electric dipole will also exert a torque on the dipole, causing it to rotate and align with the field in the opposite direction.


When is the torque on an electric dipole in an electric field is maximum?

The torque on an electric dipole in an electric field is maximum when the dipole is aligned parallel or anti-parallel to the electric field lines. This occurs because the torque is given by the cross product of the electric dipole moment vector and the electric field vector, and it is maximum when the angle between them is 90 degrees.


You turn an electric dipole end for end in a uniform electric field.How does the work you do depend on the initial orientation of the dipole with respect to the field?

The work done by you to turn the electric dipole end for end in a uniform electric field depends on the initial orientation of the dipole with respect to the field. If the dipole is initially oriented such that its positive and negative charges are parallel to the electric field, then no net work is done as the electric field does not do any work on the dipole as the electric field lines do not transfer any energy. On the other hand, if the dipole is initially oriented such that its positive and negative charges are perpendicular to the electric field, then work is done by you to turn the dipole as the electric field exerts a force on the charges in the dipole in opposite directions, causing them to move in opposite directions. As a result, you have to do work to move the charges and turn the dipole.

Related Questions

Which orientation of an electric dipole in an uniform electric field would correspond to unstable equilibrium?

So interesting query! As we keep the dipole with its dipole moment along the direction of the electric field then it will be in stable equilibrium. IF we keep the same dipole inverted ie its dipole moment opposite to the external field then the dipole will be in unstable equilibrium.


Which orientation of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field would correspond to stable equilibrium?

when angle 0 b/w dipole moment vector p and electric field vector E is zero then potential energy of dipole, U=-pEcos0 =-pE and torque=pEsin0=0;which means that the electric dipole is in stable equilibrium.


How does a torque affect the dipole in an electric field?

A torque applied to a dipole in an electric field causes the dipole to align itself with the direction of the field. The torque will tend to rotate the dipole until it reaches the stable equilibrium position where it is aligned with the electric field.


What electric field parallel or anti parallel to the electric dipole?

An electric field parallel to an electric dipole will exert a torque on the dipole, causing it to align with the field. An electric field anti-parallel to an electric dipole will also exert a torque on the dipole, causing it to rotate and align with the field in the opposite direction.


What is the angle between dipole moment and electric field in a electric dipole?

The angle between the dipole moment and the electric field in an electric dipole is 0 degrees or 180 degrees. This means the dipole moment is either aligned with or opposite to the electric field direction.


When is the torque on an electric dipole in an electric field is maximum?

The torque on an electric dipole in an electric field is maximum when the dipole is aligned parallel or anti-parallel to the electric field lines. This occurs because the torque is given by the cross product of the electric dipole moment vector and the electric field vector, and it is maximum when the angle between them is 90 degrees.


An electric dipole is placed in a nonuniform electric filedIs there a net force on the dipole?

yes, there is a NET field .electric dipole experiences a net field .(not in uniform E.Field)


You turn an electric dipole end for end in a uniform electric field.How does the work you do depend on the initial orientation of the dipole with respect to the field?

The work done by you to turn the electric dipole end for end in a uniform electric field depends on the initial orientation of the dipole with respect to the field. If the dipole is initially oriented such that its positive and negative charges are parallel to the electric field, then no net work is done as the electric field does not do any work on the dipole as the electric field lines do not transfer any energy. On the other hand, if the dipole is initially oriented such that its positive and negative charges are perpendicular to the electric field, then work is done by you to turn the dipole as the electric field exerts a force on the charges in the dipole in opposite directions, causing them to move in opposite directions. As a result, you have to do work to move the charges and turn the dipole.


Why is electric field intensity zero at the centre of an electric dipole?

At the center of an electric dipole, the electric field vectors from the positive and negative charges cancel each other out due to their opposite directions. This results in a net electric field intensity of zero at the center of the dipole.


What happened when an electric dipole is held in non uniform electric field?

When an electric dipole is held in a non-uniform electric field, the dipole experiences a net torque causing it to align itself in the direction of the field. The dipole will tend to orient itself with its positive end facing towards the direction of the field and its negative end facing away from it. This alignment leads to a potential energy change in the dipole, with the dipole experiencing a force due to the non-uniform field.


What is the electric field intensity at the mid point of dipole?

The electric field intensity at the midpoint of a dipole is zero. This is because the electric fields created by the positive and negative charges of the dipole cancel each other out at that point, resulting in a net electric field intensity of zero.


What is the angle between the electric dipole moment and the electric field strength due to it on axial line?

The angle between the electric dipole moment and the electric field strength on the axial line is 0 degrees (or parallel). This is because on the axial line, the electric field points in the same direction as the electric dipole moment, resulting in the minimum potential energy configuration for the dipole.