Ch-1 part-4
Electric field lines for different charged conductors
1. Positive point charge
2. Negative point charge
3. Like charge
4. Unlike charge
Relation between electric field and density of electric field lines
In figure, the electric field at P is much stronger than Q because number
of electric field lines passing through P is more than that of Q
Hence, it is clear that the electric field is directly proportional to the
density of electric field lines
Consistency of the inverse square law with the electric field lines
Consider a positive charge q
the point on the surface area A2at a distance r 2from q.
Let P1be the point on a surface area A1 at a distance r 1 from q and P2 is
Let n be the same number of field lines that cut these areas
A1
∴ ∆ Ω=
.….…..(1)
2
r1
2
∴ A 1=r 1 ∆ Ω
A2
Also, ∆ Ω=
∴ A 2=r 2 ∆ Ω .….…..(2)
2
r2
2
n n
Now, Number of lines cutting unit area element at A1 area ¿ A = r 2 ∆ Ω
1 1
n n
Also, Number of lines cutting unit area element at A2 area ¿ A = r 2 ∆ Ω
2 2
Since E α no :of field lines
n n
∴ E1 α 2
∧E 2 α 2
r1 ∆ Ω r2 ∆ Ω
1 1
∴ E1 α 2
∧E 2 α 2
r1 r2
2
E1 r 2
Also, E = 2
2 r1
Electric dipole
A pair of equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance is
called an electric dipole
The strength of an electric dipole is called its dipole moment
It is denoted by p
It is a vector quantity whose magnitude is either charges times the
separation between the two opposite charges
∴ p=q ×2 a
Its direction is along the dipole axis from negative to positive charge
Its SI unit is Cm
Examples of dipoles are H 2 O, HCl , CCl4 , etc
Ideal dipole or point dipole
A dipole in which size 2 a → 0 and charge q → ∞ then such a dipole of
negligible size is called an ideal over point dipole
Electric field at an axial point of a dipole
Consider a point C on the axis of an electric dipole as shown in the figure
Electric field experienced at point C due to charge+q is
E+¿ ¿
q
¿k 2
^p , along rig h t
(r −a)
Electric field experienced at point C due to charge−q is
E q
−¿=k ^p , alongleft ¿
(r +a )2
According to superposition principle ,
Net Electric field ,
E=E+¿+ E −¿¿ ¿
¿ kq
[ 1
2
−
1
(r−a) ( r + a )
2
^p
]
¿ kq
[ ( r + a )2−( r −a )2
[ ( r−a )( r + a ) ]
2
]
4 ar
¿ kq 2
[ r 2−a2 ]
2 k ( q 2 a) r
¿ 2
[ r 2−a2 ]
2 kpr
¿ 2
[ r 2−a 2 ]
If r >¿ a ,t h en a → 0
2 kpr 2 kp
E= 4
= 3 , along rig h t
r r
Electric field at an Equatorial point of a dipole
Consider a point c on the equatorial axis of an electric
dipole as shown in the figure
Since point C is at equidistance from the charges of the
dipole, so the magnitude of electric field experienced at C
will be same
∴ E+¿=E kq ¿
−¿= 2 ¿
1
[(r ¿¿2+ a2 )¿ ¿ ] ¿ ¿
2
kq
¿ 2 2
r +a
From fig.,
Eequator =¿
2 kq a
¿− 2 2
× 1
r +a 2
( r ¿ ¿ 2+a ) 2 ^p ¿
kp
¿− 3
2
(r ¿ ¿ 2+a ) 2 ^p ¿
If r ¿> a t h en a → 0
−kp
∴ Eequator = 3
^p
r
Dipole in the uniform electric field
Consider a dipole placed in an external electric field Ea t an angle θ
Electric force experienced by +q ,
F +¿=qE , along E ¿
Electric force experienced by −q ,
F−¿=−qE ,against E ¿
∴ Fnet =F +¿+F −¿=0 ¿ ¿
But two equal and opposite forces are not acting on the same line which
form a couple of force, i.e., torque
Since, torque=eit h er force × perpendicular distance
∴ τ =qE × BC
¿ qE ¿
[ ¿ ∆ ABC ,sin θ=
BC
2a ]
\
¿ q 2 a E sin θ
¿ pE sin θ
∴ τ =p × E
If p is parallel to E then θ=0 °⟹ τ =0 ,
If p is antiparallel to E then θ=180° ⟹ τ =0
If p is perpendicular to E then θ=90 ° ⟹ τ = pE ,i . e . , maximum
Physical significance of Electric dipole
A molecule consisting of positive and negative ions is an electric dipole
The concept of electric dipole is used in the study of the effect of electric
field on an insulator and in the study of radiation of energy
Polar and nonpolar molecules
1. polar molecules
Centers of positive charges and negative charges do not coincide
They have permanent dipole moment
In the presence of external electric field they develop electric field on the
basis of their property
Examples : H 2 O, HCl , etc .
2. Nonpolar molecules
Centers of positive charges and negative charges lie at the same place
Their dipole moment is zero
In the presence of external electric field they develop a temporary dipole
moment
Examples : CO 2 , CH 4 , etc