Two Electric Dipoles-Net Charge of Zero

[cactusblanket]

Hi there,
Can someone help out with this problem?
Thank you.

Homework Statement

Consider two electric dipoles in empty space. The net charge of each dipole is zero, so does an electric force exist between them?

Homework Equations

F=kq₁q₂/r²

The Attempt at a Solution

If I solve for F with Coulomb's equation it yields zero, but that just seems too simple.

 

[CAF123]

Can you show your work? It is correct to treat each dipole to be formed from two point charges of opposite polarity. It can be shown that, for particular orientations of the two dipoles, Newton's third law is not obeyed in the strong form.

 

[cactusblanket]

With regard to showing my work, I used Coulomb's Law and inserted a net charge of zero which yields: Force = zero.

Would it be correct to state that the net force between electric dipoles is zero, but since they are polarized, (the positive and negative charges redistributing themselves to a certain degree, slightly more positive on one end, slightly more negative on the other.) the slightly separated internal charges create their own field resulting in the dipoles aligning themselves positive to negative.

Cheers

 

[CAF123]

Place two dipoles on the x-y plane. Label the four charges by 1,2,3 and 4, where 1 and 2 constitute one dipole and 3 and 4 the other. Charge 1 experiences a force from 2,3 and 4. Charge 2 experiences a force from 1,3 and 4. Similarly for 3 and 4. Write explicit expressions for the force on each charge using Coulomb's law.

The resulting analysis will show that, as you pointed out, the force on, say 1 from 2 is internal and does not contribute to the net force on the dipole.

 

[cactusblanket]

Thank you!