I What are the stable orientations for a dipole in an external e-field

Thread starter athenad07
Start date Oct 25, 2024
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Dipole E-field Orientation

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Stable orientations for a dipole in an external electric field occur when the dipole aligns with the field direction, minimizing potential energy. If the dipole is slightly perturbed from this alignment, it experiences a restoring torque that returns it to the stable position. The stability of these orientations depends on whether the external field is uniform; in a uniform field, the dipole will return to equilibrium, while in a non-uniform field, it may move toward regions of higher field strength. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the dipole's behavior in varying field conditions. Overall, the dipole's orientation and response to perturbations are crucial for applications in electrostatics.

Oct 25, 2024

athenad07

What are the stable orientation(s) for a dipole in an external electric field? What happens if the dipole is slightly perturbed from these orientations?

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Oct 25, 2024

kuruman

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Is the external field uniform?

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