The electrostatic potnetial due to an electric dipole at an equatorial point is

Options

A. maximum
B. zero
C. minimum
D. not defined

Answer

To solve the question regarding the electrostatic potential due to an electric dipole at an equatorial point, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Electric Dipole**:
An electric dipole consists of two equal and opposite charges, +Q and -Q, separated by a distance 'd'. The dipole moment \( p \) is defined as \( p = Q \cdot d \).

2. **Identify the Equatorial Point**:
The equatorial point of the dipole is located at a point that is perpendicular to the line joining the two charges and equidistant from both charges.

3. **Use the Formula for Electric Potential**:
The electric potential \( V \) due to a point charge is given by:
\[ V = \frac{kQ}{r} \]
where \( k \) is Coulomb's constant and \( r \) is the distance from the charge to the point where the potential is being calculated.

4. **Calculate the Potential at the Equatorial Point**:
At the equatorial point, the distances from both charges (+Q and -Q) to the point are equal. Let this distance be \( r \).

- The potential due to the positive charge +Q at the equatorial point is:
\[ V_+ = \frac{kQ}{r} \]
- The potential due to the negative charge -Q at the same point is:
\[ V_- = \frac{k(-Q)}{r} = -\frac{kQ}{r} \]

5. **Add the Potentials**:
The total electric potential \( V \) at the equatorial point is the sum of the potentials due to both charges:
\[ V = V_+ + V_- = \frac{kQ}{r} - \frac{kQ}{r} = 0 \]

6. **Conclusion**:
Therefore, the electrostatic potential due to an electric dipole at an equatorial point is:
\[ V = 0 \]

### Final Answer:
The electrostatic potential due to an electric dipole at an equatorial point is **0**.

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