What is the potential energy of an electric dipole moment …

Physics Questions

What is the potential energy of an electric dipole moment of 6 x 10^-7 C·m placed in a uniform electric field of 10^4 N/C when the dipole moment is parallel to the electric field?

Short Answer

The potential energy (U) of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field is calculated using the formula U = -pE. Given the electric dipole moment (p) of 6.7 * 10^-10 C-m and electric field strength (E) of 10^4 N/C, the resulting potential energy is U = -6.968 * 10^-8 C-m/N.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand the Formula

To determine the potential energy (U) of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field, we apply the formula U = -pE. In this equation:

  • U refers to the potential energy of the dipole.
  • p represents the electric dipole moment.
  • E is the strength of the electric field.

Step 2: Insert Given Values

In our case, we have the following values for electric dipole moment and electric field strength:

  • Electric dipole moment (p) = 6.7 * 10-10 C-m
  • Electric field strength (E) = 104 N/C

Now, we can substitute these values into the formula: U = – (6.7 * 10-10) * (104).

Step 3: Perform the Calculation

To find the potential energy, calculate the product of the values:

  • Multiply 6.7 by 10,000 (104): U = – (6.7 * 10,000 * 10-10) C-m/N.
  • This simplifies to U = – 69680 * 10-10 C-m/N.
  • Finally, simplify to express in standard notation: U = – 6.968 * 10-8 C-m/N.

Related Concepts

Potential Energy

The work done to move an electric dipole in a uniform electric field, often denoted as u in formulas.

Electric Dipole

A separation of positive and negative charges, quantified by the dipole moment (p), which is a vector quantity.

Electric Field

A vector field around electric charges that exerts a force on other charges, measured in newtons per coulomb (n/c) and denoted as e.

Scroll to Top