# Harmonic motion of the dipole?

1. Sep 10, 2008

### StephenDoty

the conservation of energy formula for a dipole
$$\Delta$$K=-$$\Delta$$U
(1/2)Iw^2=-(-qEDcos(theta))
(1/2)Iw^2=qEDcos(theta)

E-field going parallel to the y-axis. if the positive end of the dipole was in the first quad with angle theta from the y axis and the negative end of the dipole was in the third quad, what would be the angular velocity of the dipole at the y-axis? using theta0= theta or the angle the dipole is released.U(pi/2)=0. And what is the period of the harmonic motion of the dipole?

The answer is w=$$\sqrt{(2qED/I) * (1-cos(theta0)}$$
1/2Iw^=qEDcos(theta). then to find the answer the change in potential energy has to go to theta0 to pi/2?? Do this work?? How do you prove the U(pi/2)=0 since at pi/2 the potential energy from theta0 has turned to kinetic energy? qED(cos(pi/2)-cos(theta0))= 0???

For the period, The harmonic formula d^2x/dt^2=-w^2x replacing x with theta d^2theta/dt^2 = w*theta
and since I*angular acceleration= torque and torque=qEdsin(theta) but my teacher changed torque to qED*theta. Why??
Then I just used I*d^2theta/dt^2 = torque or I*-w^2*theta=torque to find w. And w=2pi/T to find T.

Why was the torque changed from qEdsin(theta) to qEd*theta????? And is the harmonic formula d^2x/dt^2=-w^2x the same no matter what?????

Thanks for the help.
Stephen

Last edited: Sep 10, 2008
2. Sep 10, 2008

### StephenDoty

Re: Dipoles

I have a test on this tomorrow, so could someone please look at the equations and the questions about how to prove U(pi/2)= 0 and why qEDsin(theta) turned into qED*theta and if the second derivative is always equal to -w^2*x for harmonic motion?

Thank you.
Stephen

3. Sep 10, 2008

### StephenDoty

Re: Dipoles

bump.. Can anyone answer my questions?

Please! I do not understand why qEDsin(theta) turned into qED*theta

4. Sep 11, 2008

### alphysicist

Re: Dipoles

Hi StephenDoty,

The approximation $$\sin\theta\to \theta$$ is used when the angle $\theta$ is assumed to be small.

I don't understand what you are asking about $U(\pi/2)$. The formula for $U$ shows that it is zero at the angle $\pi/2$. However, the dipole never gets to that angle, so I'm not sure what you are asking.