An electric dipole with dipole momentpS is in a uniform external electric field E S . (a) Find the orientations ofthe dipole for which the torque on the dipole is zero. (b) Which of theorientations in part (a) is stable, and which is unstable? (Hint: Considera small rotation away from the equilibrium position and see what happens.)(c) Show that for the stable orientation in part (b), the dipole’sown electric field tends to oppose the external field.
An electric dipole with dipole momentpS is in a uniform external electric field E S . (a) Find the orientations ofthe dipole for which the torque on the dipole is zero. (b) Which of theorientations in part (a) is stable, and which is unstable? (Hint: Considera small rotation away from the equilibrium position and see what happens.)(c) Show that for the stable orientation in part (b), the dipole’sown electric field tends to oppose the external field.
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An electric dipole with dipole moment
pS is in a uniform external electric field E S . (a) Find the orientations of
the dipole for which the torque on the dipole is zero. (b) Which of the
orientations in part (a) is stable, and which is unstable? (Hint: Consider
a small rotation away from the equilibrium position and see what happens.)
(c) Show that for the stable orientation in part (b), the dipole’s
own electric field tends to oppose the external field.
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