net torque net force zero zero clockwise zero counterclockwise zero clockwise no
ID: 1489235 • Letter: N
Question
net torque
net force
zero
zero
clockwise
zero
counterclockwise
zero
clockwise
non-zero
counterclockwise
non-zero
I know that the answer is B (clockwise and zero) but I don't understand WHY that is the answer. Can someone explain?
A electric dipole is released from rest in a uniform electric field with the orientation shown. Which entry in the table below correctly describes the net torque and the net force on the dipole?
net torque
net force
A.zero
zero
B.clockwise
zero
C.counterclockwise
zero
D.clockwise
non-zero
E.counterclockwise
non-zero
I know that the answer is B (clockwise and zero) but I don't understand WHY that is the answer. Can someone explain?
Explanation / Answer
Refer the figure below,
You can observe that since electric field is directed towards the right. There is higher potential to the left side and lower potential to the right side. Means positive charges are to the left and negative charges to the right. Due to which positive charge of the dipole will be get attracted to the right towards the negative charge and negative charge of the dipole will be get attracted to the left towards the positive charge. This causes dipole to move in the clockwise motion.
However, cm of the dipole do not changes hence by Newton’s second law Fnet = ma we can say there is no force acting on the dipole.
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