Question

A water molecule perpendicular to an electric field has 5.00×10⁻²²J more potential energy than a water molecule aligned with the field. The dipole moment of a water molecule is 6.2×10⁻³⁰Cm.

What is the strength of the electric field?

Answer 1

The strength of the electric field is -8.06×10⁷ N/C

Step-by-step explanation:

The potential energy difference between a water molecule perpendicular to an electric field and a water molecule aligned with the field can be used to calculate the strength of the electric field. Given that the potential energy difference is 5.00×10-22 J and the dipole moment of a water molecule is 6.2×10-30 Cm, we can use the formula for the potential energy of a dipole in an electric field:

Electric potential energy = -pE

where p is the dipole moment and E is the electric field strength. Rearranging the formula, we can solve for E:

E = -potential energy / dipole moment

Substituting the given values:

E = -(5.00×10-22 J) / (6.2×10-30 Cm) = -8.06×107 N/C