Electric Dipole

The effect of an electric field on elementary particles is controlled by electric charge, which is a fundamental feature of matter. Electric charge is made up of discrete natural units that can’t be made or destroyed. The two forms of electric charges are positive and negative charges. When two bodies with an excess of one type of charge are close enough together, then they repel. When two negatively and positively charged things come into close proximity, they attract each other.

Electric Dipole

An electric dipole is a pair of objects with equal and opposing charges separated by a significant distance. The first charge is supposed to be negative (-q), and the second charge is assumed to be positive (+q). By default, electric dipoles in space are directed from negative charge ‘-q’ to positive charge ‘q.’ The point where ‘q’ and ‘-q’ meet is the center of dipole.

Coulomb’s law and the superposition principle may be used to determine the electric field of a pair of charges (–q and q) at any point in space. The electric fields, however, tend to change depending on the situation.

Electric Dipole Moment

The electric dipole moment is a precise measurement of an electric dipole’s strength. According to mathematics and scientific studies, the dipole moment magnitude is the product of either charge and the separation distance ‘d’ between them. Keep in mind that the dipole moment is a vector measurement with a charge direction of negative to positive.

Electric Dipole Moment Formula

The electric dipole moment formula is given as

p=q×d

here,

p = electric dipole moment

q = charge magnitude

d = distance between the charges

Direction of Electric Dipole Moment

The electric dipole moment is a vector quantity with a well-defined and definite direction. The electric dipole’s direction is usually from negative to positive charge. It’s important to keep in mind that this orientation norm is solely followed in Physics.

Electric Dipole Place in Electric Field

The two forces operating on the dipole end cancel each other as free vectors, yet they work as independent points. A torque is formed on the dipole as a result. Furthermore, as a result of the torque, the dipole spins.

In the presence of an electric field, consider an electric dipole. The electric dipole will experience torque, which is a force applied to it. The torque is the force exerted on dipoles in the presence of an external field, and it is determined using the formula:

τ=p×E

Or 

τ=p E sin θ

Here,

= torque

E = electric field

p = electric dipole moment

Physical Significance of Dipole

Not only is the theory of an electric dipole is vital in physics, but it is also a valid and significant topic in chemistry.

Because most materials are made up of atoms and molecules, we know that they are electrically neutral. The behaviour of the pair of charges is used to divide the molecules into two categories.

Polar molecules

A polar molecule is one in which the centre of mass of the positive charge differs from the centre of mass of the negative charge.

Non – Polar molecules

The centre of mass of the positive charge corresponds to the centre of mass of the negative charge in a nonpolar molecule.

Polar compounds have permanent dipole moments. These dipoles are oriented randomly in the absence of an external electric field. The polar molecules align themselves in the direction of the electric field when it is applied.

If a system’s net charge is zero, that doesn’t mean there won’t be an electric field or that it won’t be there. This was demonstrated using the electric dipole moment. As a result, an electric dipole is essential. Understanding polarisation helps our understanding of dipoles and dipole moments.

Conclusion

An electric dipole is a pair of objects with equal and opposing charges separated by a significant distance.

Coulomb’s law and the superposition principle may be used to determine the electric field of a pair of charges (–q and q) at any point in space.

According to mathematics and scientific studies, the dipole moment magnitude is the product of either charge and the separation distance ‘d’ between them.

The electric dipole moment formula is given as

p=q×d

when the electric dipole is placed in an electric field then we have

τ=p×E

Or 

τ=p E sin θ

A polar molecule is one in which the centre of mass of the positive charge differs from the centre of mass of the negative charge.

The centre of mass of the positive charge corresponds to the centre of mass of the negative charge in a nonpolar molecule.

Polar compounds have permanent dipole moments.