Physics · Electric field: electric field due to a point charge, electric field lines, electric dipole, electric field due to a dipole, torque on a dipole in a uniform electric field

An electric dipole is placed in a non uniform electric field increasing along th

An electric dipole is placed in a non uniform electric field increasing along the \( + \)ve direction of \( \mathrm{X} \) - axis. The dipole moves along and rotates

  • A. \( +v e \) direction of \( X \) - axis, clockwise
  • B. - ve direction of \( X \) - axis, clockwise
  • C. \( +v e \) direction of \( X \) - axis, anti clockwise
  • D. - ve direction of \( X \) - axis, anti clockwise

Step-by-step solution

In a non-uniform electric field increasing along the +X direction, the net force on the dipole is toward the stronger field (positive X) due to the greater force on the charge in the stronger field. The torque aligns the dipole moment with the field. For a typical initial orientation (e.g., dipole moment with a positive y-component), the torque is into the page, causing a clockwise rotation to align the dipole with the field.
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