Dipole Moment of Two Electrons

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SUMMARY

The dipole moment of two electrons is equal to zero due to the symmetry of their charge distribution. When considering the dipole moment formula, \(\vec{d} = \sum{q_{i}\vec{r_{i}}}\), the contributions from both electrons cancel each other out when their center of mass is used as the origin. This results in a net dipole moment of zero, as the vector sum of their positions relative to the center of mass equals zero.

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  • Understanding of dipole moment concepts in physics
  • Familiarity with vector mathematics
  • Knowledge of charge distribution and symmetry
  • Basic principles of electrostatics
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Why is the dipole moment of two electrons equal to zero?

<br /> <br /> \vec{d} = \sum{q_{i}\vec{r_{i}}}<br /> <br />

The distance between them is nonzero and they both have charges. It is not obvious to me why this sums to zero.
 
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If their center of mass is taken as the origin, then Sum r_i=0.
 

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