MAGNETIC FIELDS IN MATTER — Edward Purcell & David Morin
Physics — E&M · mutually-induced-dipoles
Problem
Two polarizable atoms A and B are a fixed distance apart. The polarizability of each atom is α. Consider the following intriguing possibility. Atom A is polarized by an electric field, the source of which is the electric dipole moment pB of atom B. This dipole moment is induced in atom B by an electric field, the source of which is the dipole moment pA of atom A. Can this happen? If so, under what conditions? If not, why not?