Electric Dipole in Uniform Field · CAP 2010 #Q16

Physics · electromagnetism

Problem

An electric dipole consists of two small particles. Each has mass m but opposite electric charge ±q. They are separated by a light, non-conducting rod of length l. The dipole is placed in a uniform electric field E such that it forms an angle θ to the field, then is released. Its initial angular acceleration about its centre of mass is given by a) 2qEcos⁡θml\frac{2qE\cos θ}{ml}; b) 2qEsin⁡θml\frac{2qE\sin θ}{ml}; c) qElcos⁡θm\frac{qEl\cos θ}{m}; d) qElsin⁡θm\frac{qEl\sin θ}{m}; e) qEsin⁡θml2\frac{qE\sin θ}{ml²}. [Figure: Electric dipole at angle θ to uniform electric field E]

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