Why is the dipole moment directed from negative to positive?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The dipole moment is defined as directed from the negative charge to the positive charge, aligning with the direction of the external electric field. This convention is crucial for understanding the behavior of dipoles in electric fields, as it simplifies the analysis of their interactions. The discussion emphasizes that the internal electric field of a charged rod is less relevant than the external field when defining the dipole moment.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and forces
  • Familiarity with dipole moments in electrostatics
  • Knowledge of charge distribution in conductive materials
  • Basic principles of vector direction in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical definition of dipole moments in electrostatics
  • Explore the effects of external electric fields on dipoles
  • Learn about the applications of dipole moments in molecular chemistry
  • Investigate the relationship between dipole moments and electric field strength
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, electrical engineers, and anyone studying electrostatics or molecular interactions will benefit from this discussion.

Roxy SCarlet
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Why is the dipole moment directed from negative to positive ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Roxy SCarlet said:
Why is the dipole moment directed from negative to positive ?
Why is south directed to north? Or the other way? This has no meaning in physics.
 
Because that way the direction of the dipole moment vector is aligned with the direction of the external electric field. If you look at a rod that is charged positive at one end and negative at the other you are usually not interested in the internal field present inside the rod. So it makes sense to base the definition of the dipole moment on the external field.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Roxy SCarlet

Similar threads

High School Direction of Electric Field & Field Due to a Dipole
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Question regarding how to interpret dipole moment for bound charges
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad What is the significance of dipole moments in physics?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Dipole moment of a cylinder of uniform polarization
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Graduate Origin of Hertzian dipole radiation
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Undergrad Something about retarded potentials for oscillating electric dipole
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Laplace's equation in presence of a dipole (perfect or physical)
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
Undergrad Why charge density of moving dipole is dependent on time?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Will this dipole rotate or change position?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
High School Why Does My Toaster Hum Due to AC-Induced Magnetic Forces?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K