Electric Dipole Moment and electric field

In summary, the conversation discusses the calculation of the electric field at location A due to two dipoles with charges +q and -q, separated by a distance s and centered at a distance d from location A. The equations used are E(axis) = qk x (r-s/2)^2 - (r+s/2)^2)^-1 and E(axis) = 2qks/d^3 when d>>s, where k=8.99E9 N^2 m / C^2. The final answer for the electric field at location A is <0,750,0>. The initial mistake in the calculation was not taking into consideration the y component of the electric field arising from the x-axis dip
  • #1
DeadFishFactory
25
0

Homework Statement


Two dipoles are oriented as shown in the diagram below. Each dipole consists of two charges +q and -q, held apart by a rod of length s, and the center of each dipole is a distance d from location A. If q = 6 nC, s = 1 mm, and d = 6 cm, what is the electric field at location A?

14-074-two_dipoles_A.jpg


Homework Equations



E(axis) = qk x (r-s/2)^2 - (r+s/2)^2)^-1

E(axis) = 2qks/d^3 when d>>s

k=8.99E9 N^2 m / C^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Since d>>s, the x-axis dipole's angle can be considered linear, and thus, the E-field for the x component is 0.

For the y-axis dipole, d>>s allows us to use the second equation, E(axis) = 2qks/d^3.

E = 2 (8.99E9) (6E-9) (0.001) / (0.06^3) = 500.

My answer would be <0,500,0>. I got the x and z components correct, but the y component is not. Why is that? Did I get the x component right for the wrong reasons or something?
 
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  • #2
The y component of the electric field arising from the x-axis dipole is not 0.

ehild
 
  • #3
Oh, whoops. You're right.

With the Y component for the x-axis, it would be E(y) = kqs/y^3 = (8.99E9 * 6E-9 * 0.001) / (0.06^3) = 250.

250 + 500 = 750; <0,750,0>

Thanks.
 

1. What is an electric dipole moment?

An electric dipole moment is a measure of the separation between positive and negative charges in an object. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

2. How is the electric dipole moment calculated?

The electric dipole moment is calculated by multiplying the magnitude of the charge by the distance between the charges and the direction of the vector connecting the charges.

3. What is the significance of the electric dipole moment?

The electric dipole moment is an important concept in electromagnetism as it helps to describe the behavior of electric fields and interactions between charged particles.

4. How is the electric dipole moment related to the electric field?

The electric dipole moment is directly proportional to the strength of the electric field. The greater the dipole moment, the stronger the electric field will be.

5. Can an object have an electric dipole moment if it has no net charge?

Yes, an object can have an electric dipole moment even if it has no net charge. This is because the dipole moment is determined by the separation of positive and negative charges, not the overall charge of the object.

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