Physics · Conductors and insulators, dielectrics and electric polarization

A positive charge and a negative charge are held in place and initially form a d

A positive charge and a negative charge are held in place and initially form a dipole. Then a uncharged conducting bar is placed in between them. How is the force between the charges affected?

  • A. The force increases.
  • B. The force is unaffected.
  • C. The force decreases.
  • D. The answer cannot be determined.

Step-by-step solution

The uncharged conducting bar placed between the charges becomes polarized due to the electric field of the dipole. The induced charges on the bar create an additional electric field that opposes the original field, thereby reducing the net electrostatic force between the original charges.
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