Understanding the Direction of Electric Dipole Moment Vector

In summary, the direction of electric dipole moment vector is determined by convention to be from negative charge to positive charge in order to maintain consistency with other principles in physics. This also results in the polarisation field being the sum of electric dipole moments and other factors, leading to some anomalous appearances in equations such as D = eoE + P and the energy of an electric dipole in an electric field being negative.
  • #1
thunderhadron
141
0
Hi friends as all know that the direction of electric dipole moment vector is from negative charge towards the positive charge. I am pretty confuse that this direction is allotted to the dipole moment vector with some reason or just by convention.
 
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  • #2
Mostly by convention - it is done this way to make the signs consistent with the rest of physics.
 
  • #3
hi thunderhadron! :smile:

yes, it seems anomalous …

the polarisation field P is the sum of the electric dipole moments p, and:

·E = ρtotalo
·D = ρfree
but
·P = -ρbound

because of that, we have D = eoE + P, making it looks as if D is the total electric field, instead of E :redface:

(also, it means that the energy of an electric dipole p in an electric field E is minus p·E)​
 
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What is an electric dipole moment vector?

An electric dipole moment vector is a measure of the separation and orientation of two equal and opposite charges in an electric field. It is represented by a vector pointing from the negative to the positive charge.

How is the direction of an electric dipole moment vector determined?

The direction of an electric dipole moment vector is determined by the direction in which the positive charge is pulled or pushed by the electric field. It is always in the direction of the force on the positive charge.

What factors affect the direction of an electric dipole moment vector?

The direction of an electric dipole moment vector is affected by the magnitude and direction of the electric field, as well as the separation and orientation of the two charges. It also depends on the relative strengths of the two charges.

What are some real-life examples of electric dipole moment vectors?

Some examples of electric dipole moment vectors in everyday life include the separation of positive and negative charges in a battery, the polarization of molecules in a water molecule, and the separation of charges in a bar magnet.

Why is understanding the direction of electric dipole moment vector important?

Understanding the direction of an electric dipole moment vector is important in various fields such as physics, chemistry, and engineering. It helps in predicting the behavior of electrically charged particles in an electric field and is essential in the design and functioning of electronic devices.

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