Chapter 4: Q4.30P (page 205)

An electric dipole $\vec{p}$ , pointing in the ydirection, is placed midwaybetween two large conducting plates, as shown in Fig. 4.33. Each plate makes a small angle $θ$ with respect to the xaxis, and they are maintained at potentials $\pm V$ .What is the directionof the net force on $\vec{p}$ ?(There's nothing to calculate,here, butdo explain your answer qualitatively.)

Short Answer

Expert verified

The net force on $\vec{p}$ placed midway between two large conducting plates is towards the right.

Step by step solution

Given data

There is a dipole with dipole moment $\vec{p}$ pointing in the ydirection and placed midway

between two large conducting plates.

The plate makes asmall angle $θ$ with respect to the xaxis.

The plates maintained at potentials $\pm V$ .

Determine the direction of force on a dipole

The lines of force and the corresponding electric field are always perpendicular to a conducting surface.Thus, for the setup mentioned in the problem, the lines of follows emerge from the upper plate kept at a positive potential and go into the lower plate kept at a negative potential as follows