Electric Field and dipole moment

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the electric field due to a dipole moment consisting of charges -q and +q positioned symmetrically along the x-axis. The user initially derived the electric field equation as E = (2*Ke*q*a)/(x^2 - a^2) but recognized an error in the simplification process. The correct approximation for a distant point on the +x axis is E ~ (4*Ke*q*a)/(x^3), highlighting the importance of using the correct formula for electric field calculations, specifically E = Ke*q/r^2.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and dipole moments
  • Familiarity with Coulomb's Law and its applications
  • Knowledge of mathematical simplification techniques
  • Basic principles of electrostatics
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of electric fields from dipole moments
  • Study the implications of distance on electric field strength
  • Learn about the applications of Coulomb's Law in electrostatics
  • Explore advanced topics in electric field calculations, such as multipole expansions
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on electrostatics, as well as educators teaching concepts related to electric fields and dipole moments.

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There is a dipole moment that is symmetric along a y-axis and is along an x-axis. A charge -q is placed a distance a along the -x direction and a charge +q is placed a distance a along the +x direction, making the distance between the 2 charges 2a. I'm supposed to show that the electric field at a distant point on the +x axis is
E ~ (4*Ke*q*a)/(x^3).

I set the equation so that E = (-Ke*q)/(x+a) + (Ke*q)/(x-a) and ended up with
E = (2*Ke*q*a)/(x^2 - a^2), which for a distant point may round to (2*Ke*q*a)/(x^2). The answer they're looking for is different. What am I doing wrong?
 
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E=Keq/r^2 not Keq/r.
 
!...Such a simple mistake. Heh...oh well. Thanks, I got it.
 

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