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, then

An electric dipole is placed in a non- uniform electric field, then

  • A. The resultant force acting on the dipole is always zero
  • B. Torque acting on it may be zero
  • C. The resultant force acting on the dipole may be zero
  • D. Torque acting on it is always zero

Step-by-step solution

In a non-uniform electric field, a dipole experiences a net force because the forces on its charges are unequal. However, the torque τ = p × E can be zero if the dipole is aligned parallel or antiparallel to the field. Thus, torque may be zero.
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