The area near the dipole is the energy storage area

Why does a dipole have a minimum potential energy?

Moving the dipole from that minimum potential energy position requires work to be done and thus the potential energy of the dipole is increased with the energy stored in the electric field. With no external electric field there is no potential energy stored and the dipole does not have a preferred direction (minimum potential energy) of alignment.

What is the electric field of a dipole?

Electric field of dipole is cylindrically symmetrical. As shown in figure an electric dipole of magnitude = (2 ) is kept in a uniform electric field . Let be the angle between dipole momentum and electric field ⃑⃑ . The force ⃑⃑ and − ⃑⃑ are acting on the charges and − These forces are equal but opposite in direction. respectively.

What happens if a dipole has no external electric field?

With no external electric field there is no potential energy stored and the dipole does not have a preferred direction (minimum potential energy) of alignment. Consider the following two state, a and b, of the dipole and external field, E E, system. The magnitudes of all the forces are the same.

What is the normal position of a dipole in electric field?

Direction of torque is perpendicular to paper, coming out. The torque rotates the dipole in such a way that the angle θ reduces, when the dipole aligns itself along the direction of electric field, the torque becomes zero. This is the normal position of dipole in electric field.

Why does electric dipole have different potential energy in different direction?

Electric dipole has different potential energy in different direction in electric field . It has lowest energy in direction of constant electric field because it is most stable there as net force is zero.

What is a point dipole?

(2 )), then electric dipole is called point dipole. The electric field of the pair of charges (+ and − ) at any point in space can be found out from Coulombs law and the superposition principle. When the point is on the dipole axis. When it is in the equatorial plane. and − ). Electric field at Electric field of dipole is cylindrically symmetrical.