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When an electric dipole vecp is placed i...

When an electric dipole `vecp` is placed in a uniform electric field `vecE` then at what angle between `vecp` and `vecE` the value of torque will be maximum :

A

`90^@`

B

`0^@`

C

`180^@`

D

`45^@`

Text Solution

AI Generated Solution

The correct Answer is:
To determine the angle at which the torque on an electric dipole in a uniform electric field is maximum, we can follow these steps: ### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Understanding the Electric Dipole and Electric Field**: - An electric dipole consists of two equal and opposite charges separated by a distance. The dipole moment \(\vec{p}\) is a vector quantity that points from the negative charge to the positive charge. - A uniform electric field \(\vec{E}\) exerts forces on the charges of the dipole. 2. **Torque on the Dipole**: - The torque \(\vec{\tau}\) experienced by the dipole in the electric field is given by the formula: \[ \vec{\tau} = \vec{p} \times \vec{E} \] - The magnitude of the torque can be expressed as: \[ |\tau| = pE \sin \theta \] - Here, \(\theta\) is the angle between the dipole moment \(\vec{p}\) and the electric field \(\vec{E}\). 3. **Maximizing the Torque**: - To find the angle that maximizes the torque, we need to maximize the term \(\sin \theta\). - The sine function reaches its maximum value of 1 when \(\theta = 90^\circ\). 4. **Conclusion**: - Therefore, the torque on the dipole will be maximum when the angle between the dipole moment \(\vec{p}\) and the electric field \(\vec{E}\) is: \[ \theta = 90^\circ \] ### Final Answer: The value of torque will be maximum when the angle between the dipole moment \(\vec{p}\) and the electric field \(\vec{E}\) is \(90^\circ\).
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