Insights Blog
-- Browse All Articles --
Physics Articles
Physics Tutorials
Physics Guides
Physics FAQ
Math Articles
Math Tutorials
Math Guides
Math FAQ
Education Articles
Education Guides
Bio/Chem Articles
Technology Guides
Computer Science Tutorials
Forums
Intro Physics Homework Help
Advanced Physics Homework Help
Precalculus Homework Help
Calculus Homework Help
Bio/Chem Homework Help
Engineering Homework Help
Trending
Featured Threads
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Intro Physics Homework Help
Advanced Physics Homework Help
Precalculus Homework Help
Calculus Homework Help
Bio/Chem Homework Help
Engineering Homework Help
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Forums
Homework Help
Introductory Physics Homework Help
Potential and torque of electric dipole in E field
Reply to thread
Message
[QUOTE="nthnschager, post: 3494894, member: 354128"] [h2]Homework Statement [/h2] Q: A polar molecule has a dipole moment of magnitude 20 e*pm that makes an angle of 20 degrees with a uniform electric field of magnitude 3.0*10^3 N/C. FInd the magnitude of the torque on the dipole, and the potential energy of the system. [h2]Homework Equations[/h2] torque = pE sin(theta) where p is dipole moment and E is electric field mag. [h2]The Attempt at a Solution[/h2] in the explanation in my book, (20 e*pm)(3*10^3)(sin20) is reduced to (.02)(1.6*10^-19 C)(10^-9 m)(3*10^3 N/C)(sin20) This might be a stupid question but why is 20 reduced to .02? I could not figure out what happened there. Also, how do you minimize the potential energy when a dipole is is in an electric field? when U = -PEcos(theta), where U is potential energy, P is dipole moment, E is electric field, and theta is angle between direction of dipole moment and electric field. is pot. energy minimized when theta = zero or when theta = ninety? In other words, I do not understand the concept of negetive potential energy. Would it be considered "minimized" when the potential energy is at zero or negetive? [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Post reply
Forums
Homework Help
Introductory Physics Homework Help
Potential and torque of electric dipole in E field
Back
Top