What are the non-zero moments for a pure dipole?

In summary, the conversation involves discussing the calculation of the force and work on a point charge in the presence of a pure dipole. The potential due to any charge distribution is given by an equation involving the charge, dipole moment, and higher order moments. The focus is on determining which moments are non-zero for a pure dipole.
  • #1
moongate
1
0
I've been trying to answer the following question, without success. Can someone help me here?

A \lq\lq pure \rq\rq dipole is located at the origin and is directed to the +z-axis. a)Calculate the force on a point charge q at (0,a,0). b)Calculate the force on q if it is at (a,0,0). c)Calculate the work needed to move q from (0,a,0) to (a,0,0)
 
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  • #2
Well first you'll want to calculate the potential and field due to a point dipole. The potential due to any arbitrary charge distribution can be written as,

[tex] \Phi(\vec{x}) = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\bigg[\frac{q}{r} + \frac{\vec{p}\cdot\vec{x}}{r^3} + \frac{1}{2}Q_{i,j}\frac{x_ix_j}{r^5} + \dots \bigg] [/tex]

Which of these moments are non-zero for a pure dipole?
 

What is a dipole?

A dipole is a pair of equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance. It is considered a fundamental concept in electromagnetism as it helps explain the behavior of electric fields and forces.

How is the force due to a dipole calculated?

The force due to a dipole is calculated using the equation F = 2pE*sin(theta)/r^3, where F is the force, p is the dipole moment, E is the electric field, theta is the angle between the dipole moment and the electric field, and r is the distance between the charges.

What is the direction of the force due to a dipole?

The direction of the force due to a dipole is always perpendicular to both the dipole moment and the electric field. This means that the force will either push the dipole towards or away from the electric field, depending on the orientation of the dipole.

How does the strength of the electric field affect the force on a dipole?

The strength of the electric field directly affects the force on a dipole. As the electric field increases, the force on the dipole will also increase. This is because the electric field is what causes the force on the charges in the dipole.

Can a dipole experience a net force of zero?

Yes, a dipole can experience a net force of zero if it is placed in a uniform electric field. In this case, the forces on the positive and negative charges will cancel each other out, resulting in a net force of zero.

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