Where are real electric dipoles ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rogerharris
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Dipoles Electric
AI Thread Summary
Electric dipoles are defined as pairs of point charges with opposite signs, but real-world examples can clarify their significance. A prominent example of an electric dipole is the water molecule, which exhibits a dipole moment due to its molecular structure. This dipole is crucial for water's properties, as it prevents water from being a gas at room temperature. Understanding electric dipoles is essential for grasping concepts in chemistry and physics. Real examples like water help illustrate the practical implications of electric dipoles in nature.
rogerharris
Messages
125
Reaction score
0
I'm trying to understand what electric dipoles, quadrupoles etc are.



If i look for definitions of electric dipoles, they are given as pairs of point charges, yet no real examples are given..

"A point charge is an idealized model of a particle which has an electric charge. A point charge is an electric charge at a mathematical point with no dimensions"

So i can understand this better, does anybody know of any real or natural examples where electric dipoles exist ?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
A water molecule is an electric dipole. In fact, if it were not, water would be a gas at room temperature.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
A water molecule is an electric dipole. In fact, if it were not, water would be a gas at room temperature.


Ok thanks for reminder. Thats a good start.
 
Thread 'Motional EMF in Faraday disc, co-rotating magnet axial mean flux'

Thread 'Motional EMF in Faraday disc, co-rotating magnet axial mean flux'

So here is the motional EMF formula. Now I understand the standard Faraday paradox that an axis symmetric field source (like a speaker motor ring magnet) has a magnetic field that is frame invariant under rotation around axis of symmetry. The field is static whether you rotate the magnet or not. So far so good. What puzzles me is this , there is a term average magnetic flux or "azimuthal mean" , this term describes the average magnetic field through the area swept by the rotating Faraday...
View full post »

Similar threads

How do I generate a magnetic vector field using equations?
Replies
17
Views
2K
Can a dipole be modeled as a point charge?
Replies
10
Views
452
Do ionic crystals have total electric dipole moment?
Replies
18
Views
4K
I Instantaneous dipole moment and orbitals
Replies
1
Views
74
Dipole placed in a uniform electric field
Replies
11
Views
3K
Electric potential energy between charge and moving magnet
Replies
7
Views
2K
Understanding the energy of a dipole in a uniform electric field
Replies
2
Views
2K
I The implications of symmetry + uniqueness in electromagnetism
Replies
1
Views
1K
How conductors/resistors affect electric fields?
Replies
1
Views
3K
Qualitative understanding of electrical quadrapole moment
Replies
4
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top