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Chapter 23: Problem 3

A dipole consists of two equal but opposite charges. Is the total energy stored in the dipole's electric field zero? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified
No, the total energy stored in the dipole's electric field is not zero, because work has to be done to bring two opposite charges close together from infinity to form the dipole.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding what a dipole is

A dipole is a pair of electric charges or magnetic poles of equal magnitude but opposite sign, separated by some distance.
02

Knowing that electric field lines exist between these charges

Electric field lines exist between these charges. They originate from the positive charge and terminate at the negative charge. As a result, an electric field forms around the dipole.
03

Understanding the energy stored in an electric field

The energy stored in any electric field is determined by the amount of work done to bring the charged bodies to that certain configuration from infinity. This work is transformed into potential energy.
04

Putting these concepts together for a dipole.

The total energy associated with the dipole's electric field is not zero. Because the charges are equal in magnitude but of opposite sign, they create an electric field around them. The energy of this electric field is derived from the work required to establish this configuration of charges from infinity.

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