4.4 Making use of electrostatics

Question 1

describe what happens to a dipole when it is placed in a uniform electric field

Answer 1

A dipole consists of two opposite charges separated by a distance d. In the field the two charges experience equal and oppositely directed forces. Because of this the resultant force on the dipole is still zero, but the two forces will exert a twisting action on the dipole, which will try to swing it round until it lies on the electric field

Question 2

What modern technologies make use of the electric dipoles

Answer 2

Microwaves, LCD screens, electrostatic precipitators, crop spraying