An electric dipole consisting of charges and separated by a small distance is placed…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance · Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Problem
An electric dipole consisting of charges +q and −q separated by a small distance 2a is placed in air. Answer the following questions related to the potential pattern produced by the dipole.
(i) Define electric dipole moment and state its SI unit.
(ii) Using qualitative reasoning only, explain how the electric potential at a point depends on the angle θ made by the position vector with the dipole axis, and hence state why the potential is zero on the equatorial plane of the dipole.
(iii) Draw a neat, labelled sketch of two representative equipotential surfaces for the dipole and describe their salient features.
(iv) The spacing between successive equipotential surfaces increases as one moves farther from the dipole. What does this indicate about the variation of the electric field magnitude with distance? Explain briefly.