Electric Dipole An electric dipole is a special type of electric charge configuration in which two opposite charges are separated by a fixed distance. These...
An electric dipole is a special type of electric charge configuration in which two opposite charges are separated by a fixed distance. These charges can be positive or negative, and the net net charge of a dipole is zero.
Here's how it works:
An electric dipole can be formed by two point charges of equal magnitude placed a fixed distance apart.
The electric field lines around a dipole point outwards, creating an electric field directed from the positive charge to the negative charge.
The field lines are arranged in a way that the electric field lines are perpendicular to the surface of the charges.
The electric field lines are also perpendicular to the electric field lines, which results in a net electric field that points radially outward from the center of the dipole.
Examples:
A positive point charge and a negative point charge separated by a fixed distance will create a dipole.
A positive point charge and a negative point charge separated by a varying distance will also create a dipole.
Key Points:
An electric dipole has two charges separated by a fixed distance.
The net charge of a dipole is zero.
The electric field lines around a dipole point outwards.
The electric field lines are arranged in a way that the electric field lines are perpendicular to the surface of the charges