How do you konw if dipole movement is negative or positive?

In summary, the direction of a dipole's movement can be determined by looking at the direction of the electric field lines. A positive dipole movement indicates that the dipole is moving towards the positive charge and away from the negative charge. On the other hand, a negative dipole movement is when the dipole is moving towards the negative charge and away from the positive charge. It is not possible for a dipole to have both positive and negative movement simultaneously. A neutral dipole has no movement, as the charges on both ends are equal and opposite.
  • #1
pyroknife
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3
Let's say you have 2 charges of magnitude 2C except 1 is + and the other -. They're separated by 2m. dipole moment=p=qL

Which q do you plug in there?
 
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  • #2
pyroknife said:
Let's say you have 2 charges of magnitude 2C except 1 is + and the other -. They're separated by 2m. dipole moment=p=qL

Which q do you plug in there?
The formula you quote is for a dipole consisting of two charges: +q and -q. Therefore, you plug in the magnitude of the charges q, which is positive by definition.
 

1. How can you determine the direction of a dipole's movement?

The direction of a dipole's movement can be determined by looking at the direction of the electric field lines. If the field lines point towards the positive charge, then the dipole movement is considered positive. If the field lines point towards the negative charge, then the dipole movement is considered negative.

2. What does a positive dipole movement indicate?

A positive dipole movement indicates that the dipole is moving towards the positive charge and away from the negative charge. This means that there is a separation of charge within the dipole, with the positive end being pulled towards the positive charge and the negative end being pushed away from the negative charge.

3. How does a negative dipole movement differ from a positive dipole movement?

A negative dipole movement is the opposite of a positive dipole movement. This means that the dipole is moving towards the negative charge and away from the positive charge. In this case, the negative end of the dipole is being pulled towards the negative charge and the positive end is being pushed away from the positive charge.

4. Can a dipole have both positive and negative movement simultaneously?

No, a dipole cannot have both positive and negative movement simultaneously. The movement of a dipole is always in one direction, either positive or negative, depending on the relative charges of the two ends of the dipole.

5. How do you know if a dipole's movement is neutral?

A neutral dipole has no movement, as the charges on both ends are equal and opposite, cancelling out any movement. Therefore, if there is no separation of charge within the dipole, it has a neutral movement.

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