Question

The permanent electric dipole moment of the water molecule (H2O) is 6.2×10−30C⋅m.The permanent electric dipole moment of the water molecule (H2O) is 6.2×10−30C⋅m. What is the maximum possible torque on a water molecule in a 4.5×10^8 N/C electric field? Express your answer using two significant figures.

Answer 1

`T=2.8*10^(-21)\ N.m`

Step-by-step explanation:

Torque on a molecule in an electric field is given by the cross product of Dipole moment and electric field:

T=PxE=PEsinΘ

where

P is electric dipole moment

E is electric field

Θ is the angle between and E

In case of maximum torque, the angle between P and E is 90 degree.So, Maximum torque=T=P.E

`T=(6.2*10^(-30))*(4.5*10^(8))\\T=2.79*10^(-21)\ N.m`

Using two significant figures

`T=2.8*10^(-21)\ N.m`