Cancellation of Electric Fields

[modulus]

I was having some trouble understanding how an electric dipole creates an electric field around it? Shouldn't the two oppositely charged particles in the dipole totally cancel out their electric fields?

Well, I figured out that the two particles only exert a force on each other, but they cannot cancel out their fields. Because, physically speaking, an electric field spreads out in all directions around the particle, and it exists as long as the particle, which is charged, exists. And, the presence of the oppositely charged particles for each other do not remove the other particles existence, and hence it's electric field?

But, if that is so, then how does an atom, or the vast number of molecules around us not create an electric field around themself. Do the sub-atomic particles in the atoms and molecules cancel out each other's electric fields?

 

[Born2bwire]

The fact that the opposite charges are not colocated ensures that the field is never perfectly canceled out. However, the general effect is to diminish the "range" of the field. For example, a monopole (one charge) drops off in field as 1/r^2. A dipole drops off as 1/r^3. Higher multipoles drop off with increasing powers of 1/r. So you can see that while the field is not perfectly canceled out, a general configuration of equal numbers of oppositely charged particles will give rise to a field that falls off very very quickly.

Molecules can however create fields around them, some molecules have permanent dipole moments. Other molecules, though lacking in a permanent dipole moment, will have a dipole moment induced by an applied electric field. The permanent and induced dipole moments give rise to the London-Van der Waals forces that govern the force of attraction and repulsion between molecules.

 

[astrokreng]

It is true that an electric dipole consists of two oppositely charged particles that exert a force on each other. However, the electric fields created by these particles do not cancel out completely. This is because electric fields spread out in all directions around a charged particle and exist as long as the particle exists. Therefore, the presence of the oppositely charged particles does not remove the existence of the other particle's electric field.

In the case of atoms and molecules, the sub-atomic particles do not cancel out each other's electric fields. Instead, the overall electric field of an atom or molecule is determined by the net charge and distribution of its constituent particles. This can vary depending on the arrangement and composition of the atoms and molecules.

Additionally, it is important to note that cancellation of electric fields only occurs in certain situations, such as when two equally and oppositely charged particles are placed in close proximity. In most cases, electric fields do not cancel out completely and can still have an impact on the surrounding environment.

In conclusion, the cancellation of electric fields is a complex phenomenon and is not applicable in all situations. It is important to consider the individual charges and distribution of particles in order to understand the overall electric field of a system.