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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Physics » Torque on Dipole

Torque on Dipole

In this article we are going to learn about torque on a dipole, we will study about torque, dipole moment, electric dipole etc.

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With each new subject introduced, science is a strange discipline that never ceases to astound its students. We’re all aware that charge may be found everywhere and that its presence can cause a range of natural occurrences to occur. Furthermore, positive and negative charges occur in a variety of shapes and sizes, each exhibiting a unique set of characteristics when exposed to a stimulating field. Have you ever heard of the concept of an electric dipole, often known as an electric dipole or dipole? This one-of-a-kind configuration of electric charges, which includes both positive and negative charges, results in an intriguing physics notion. In this post, we’ll go through the concepts of dipole and torque in further detail. To be more specific, the electric dipole can be thought of as a gap between positive and negative charges that exists between them.

Torque 

Torque is a force that can cause an item to revolve around an axis and is measured in Newton metres (Nm). The force causes an item to accelerate in linear kinematics, whereas torque is what causes an object to accelerate when it is moving at an angle to the plane of motion.

Torque is a vector quantity. The direction of the torque vector is determined by the direction of the force acting on the axis of the motor shaft.

The term “torque” is familiar to everyone who has ever opened a door with his or her hands. When someone wants to open a door, they should push on the side of the door that is furthest away from the hinges. Pushing on the side that is closest to the hinges necessitates the use of significantly more force. Despite the fact that the labor is the same in both circumstances (the larger force would be delivered over a smaller distance), people normally prefer to use less force, which is why the door handle is typically located on the inside of the door.

τ=rFsinθ

Electric Dipole 

Electric charge may be found everywhere around us, and there are numerous examples that demonstrate this phenomenon to be true. When was the last time you tried wrapping your hair up in a towel and running your fingers through the strands of hair? You will see that some of your hair will become drawn to the comb as a result of this. Electric Charge is mostly responsible for this phenomenon. This section will attempt to interpret the behavior of opposite charges when they are kept at a safe distance from one another. In electrostatics, this is known as the Electric Dipole idea, and it is a fundamental concept to understand.

There are two types of dipoles in electromagnetism: permanent and reversible. When dealing with the separation of positive and negative charges found in any electromagnetic system, an electric dipole is used to do so. For simplicity, consider a pair of electric charges with an equal magnitude but an opposite sign that is separated by a small distance, which is typically less than one meter.

What is a dipole moment? 

It is essentially a precise measurement of the strength of an electric dipole. According to scientific and mathematical conclusions, the size of the dipole moment is equal to the product of either of the charges and their separation distance (d). Bear in mind that the dipole moment is a vector quantity whose direction is negative to positive. The electric dipole moment of a pair of equal and opposing charges is defined as p = qd, where p is the magnitude of the charges multiplied by the distance between them.

Torque and its calculation 

Consider the case where a dipole is subjected to a uniform external field in order to determine the torque experienced by the dipole when in an external field. The dipole experiences the maximum torque when it is held perpendicular to the magnetic field. 

It is easy to see that the dipole is in translational equilibrium since the net force is equal to zero. The rotational equilibrium, on the other hand, remains unclear. Consider the following scenario: the dipole may remain in a stationary position, but it will rotate with a specific angular velocity.

Using experimental evidence, it has been demonstrated that both electrostatic forces (qE) behave as a torque that is delivered in a counter-clockwise orientation. As a result, when the dipole is placed in an external electric field that is uniform, it will begin to rotate.

Conclusion 

An electric dipole is a one-of-a-kind configuration of electric charges, which includes both positive and negative charges. The term “torque” is familiar to everyone who has ever opened a door with their hands. Torque is a force that causes an object to accelerate in linear kinematics. There are two types of dipoles in electromagnetism: permanent and reversible. A dipole is a pair of electric charges with an equal magnitude but an opposite sign that is separated by a small distance. The size of the dipole moment is equal to the product of either of the charges and their separation distance (d). When a dipole is placed in an electric field that is uniform, it will begin to rotate. Both electrostatic forces (qE) behave as a torque that is delivered in a counter-clockwise orientation.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

What is the reason for the torque acting on a dipole?

Answer – When an electric dipole moment is maintained in an electric field, force operates on both charges in ...Read full

What is the right-hand rule when it comes to torque?

Answer – Take your right hand and point it in the direction of the position vector (r or d), then turn your fi...Read full

Answer – When an electric dipole moment is maintained in an electric field, force operates on both charges in a dipole, which is called a dipole moment. The force acting on the charges acts as a pair, and the dipole suffers a torque as a result of the force acting on it.

Answer – Take your right hand and point it in the direction of the position vector (r or d), then turn your fingers in the direction of the force and your thumb will point toward the direction of the torque.

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