Problem on electric field due to dipoles

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric field at a point P due to a dipole configuration represented by charges at the corners of a square. The problem specifically addresses the scenario where the distance x from the center of the square to point P is much greater than the side length a of the square.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the electric field expressions for the dipoles but encounters difficulties in progressing towards the required expression. Some participants suggest using binomial expansion for simplification, while others express uncertainty about the application and effectiveness of this method.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, exploring different mathematical approaches. There is a focus on the binomial expansion as a potential tool for simplifying the expressions, but no consensus or clear resolution has been reached regarding its application or the next steps to take.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on the condition x >> a, which is central to the discussion. Participants are also grappling with the complexity of the algebra involved and the implications of higher-order terms in their calculations.

stunner5000pt
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look at the figure in the attachment

The black dots at the ends of the square in the figure represent charges -q or +q and they are denoted + or - by the symbol next to the them.
Now that line is drawn from the centre of the square to point P and is distance x
The side of the square is 2a

Show that Electric Field at P for x >> a is 3 (2qa^2) / 2 pi epsilon0 x^4

so far i came up with this

for the dipole closer to P the expression would be

E = (1/4 pi epsilon) 2qa/ [(x-a)^2 +(2a/2)^2]^3/2

and after a lot of algebra i get

E = (qa / 2 pi epsilon ) * 1 / [ x^2 + 2xa + 2a^2]^3/2

for the first closer dipole

for the more distant dipole i get E = - (1/4 pi epsilon) 2qa / [ (x+a)^2 + a^2 ] ^3/2

more algebra i get E = - (qa / 2 pi epsilon ) * 1 / [x^2 + 2xa + 2a^2]^3/2

but it is after this point that i am stuck completely

how do i get to the expression that is needed??

please please help!
 

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nee some help here I'm not sure on how to proceed in this

no replies... still trying by myself but to no avail
 
for x >> a , you can use binomial expansion.
 
photon_mass said:
for x >> a , you can use binomial expansion.

how would hte binomial expansion give me 3 (2qa) blah blah

i'm not quite sure how to use the binomial expansion but wouldn't that be a little long expression... would it compress to form somethign nice and compact which si needed?
 
binomial expansion of (x+a)^n = x[1 (a/x)]^n =x[ 1 + n(a/x) + [n(n-1)/2!](a/x)^2 + ... ]
it will compress because x >> a, so the higher order terms go to zero.
a/x = small ; (a/x)^2 = small times small= very small = << 1.
 

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