# Force on an elementary dipole

1. Feb 2, 2015

### andre220

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Show that the force on an elementary dipole of moment $\mathbf{p}$, distance $\mathbf{r}$ from a point charge $q$ has components
$$\begin{eqnarray} F_r &=& -\frac{qp\cos{\theta}}{2\pi\epsilon_0 r^3}\\ F_\theta &=& -\frac{qp\sin{\theta}}{4\pi\epsilon_0 r^3} \end{eqnarray}$$
along and perpindicular to $\mathbf{r}$ in the plane of $\mathbf{p}$ and $\mathbf{r}$, where $\theta$ is the angle which $\mathbf{p}$ makes with $\mathbf{r}$.

2. Relevant equations
$$\Phi(\vec{r}) = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\frac{\vec{p}\cdot\vec{r}}{r^3}$$
$$F = -\frac{d\Phi(\vec{r})}{dr}$$
$$\vec{p} = Q\vec{r}$$

3. The attempt at a solution
Frankly, I do not know how to start this one. I need to find the force on the charge from the dipole. To do so, I take the derivative of $\Phi$ and find the force using Coulomb's law equation. And them decompose it in terms of $r$ and $\theta$. Is this the right direction?

2. Feb 2, 2015

### Orodruin

Staff Emeritus
Note that the force is the gradient of the potential. What you have written down in the relevant equations is simply the r-component.

Also, please show us what you get when you try to do what you said.

Note: $Q\vec r$ is the dipole moment of a point charge $Q$ in $\vec r$ with respect to the origin. This is not the situation in your problem, which has a fundamental dipole $\vec p$.

3. Feb 2, 2015

### Goddar

Hi. The above equation is not right and you can tell because force is a vector and your expression gives you a scalar.
In 3 dimensions: F = –∇Φ, which is a gradient and you'll have to look up how to take it in spherical coordinates because the expression is far from obvious.
Lastly, without loss of generality you can take p to be along the z-axis so that pr = pr cosθ, which should simplify your calculations...

4. Feb 2, 2015

### Goddar

Sorry, didn't see Orodruin's post... I'll leave it to him from now on.

5. Feb 4, 2015

### andre220

Yes, thank you. It was quite simple once you pointed out the fact that $F$ should be a vector. And that $p\cdot r = p r \cos{\theta}$. Thank you for your help.

6. Feb 4, 2015

### Goddar

No problem. I just have to make it clear that although you have in general p⋅r = pr cosδ, where δ is the angle between p and r, you can take δ = θ (the polar angle of your spherical coordinates) only if you have freedom in choosing the direction of p, which is the case here. It's a detail but always important to understand clearly...

Know someone interested in this topic? Share this thread via Reddit, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook

Have something to add?
Draft saved Draft deleted