Given an electric dipole with charges q = +- 3 (mu)C separated by a distance of

Question

Given an electric dipole with charges q = +- 3 (mu)C separated by a distance of 1cm = .01m. The dipole is placed in an external uniform electric field of magnitude E = 4N/C A) If the dipole vector direction is at an angle of 60 degrees with respect to the direction of the electric field E, what is the magnitude of the torque acting on the dipole? B) Calculate the potential energy of the dipole at the initial 60 degrees and 90 degrees. Does it take positive or negative work to rotate the dipole from 60 to 90 degrees?

Explanation / Answer

a)torque=pXE

=3*0.01*4*sin60

=0.1039 Nm

b)initial potential energy=-p.E

=-pEcos60

=-3*0.01*4cos60

=-0.06 J

PE at 90 degrees=-p.E

=-pEcos90

=0

so work done=0-(-0.06)

=0.06 J

so positive work

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