Question

An electric dipole consists of two opposite charges of magnitude q = 1uC separated by a distance of 2 cm. The dipole is placed in an external field of 1.2 M N/C. What is the maximum torqued exerted on the dipole by the electric field?

Answer 1

`\tau_(max) = 0.024 Nm`

Step-by-step explanation:

Dipole moment of the electric dipole is given by the equation

`P = qd`

here we have

`q = 1\mu C`

d = 2 cm[/tex]

`P = (1\mu C)(0.02)`

`P = 2* 10^(-8) C-m`

now the maximum torque due to electric field is given as

`\tau = \vec P * \vec E`

`\tau_(max) = PE sin90`

`\tau_(max) = (2* 10^(-8))(1.2* 10^6)`

`\tau_(max) = 0.024 Nm`