Questions: Q1. An electric dipole, consisting of two equal and opposite point charges at the ends of an insulating rod, sits in the electric field of a stationary positive point charge, as shown. The dipole is free to move. After the dipole is released from rest it will... A. initially rotate clockwise, and once the dipole is aligned with the field it will accelerate to the right B. initially rotate clockwise, and once the dipole is aligned with the field it will accelerate to the left C. initially rotate clockwise, and once the dipole is aligned with the field it will not accelerate move left or right D. initially rotate counterclockwise, and once the dipole is aligned opposite the field it will accelerate to the right E. initially rotate counterclockwise, and once the dipole is aligned opposite the field it will accelerate to the left

Q1. An electric dipole, consisting of two equal and opposite point charges at the ends of an insulating rod, sits in the electric field of a stationary positive point charge, as shown.

The dipole is free to move. After the dipole is released from rest it will...
A. initially rotate clockwise, and once the dipole is aligned with the field it will accelerate to the right
B. initially rotate clockwise, and once the dipole is aligned with the field it will accelerate to the left
C. initially rotate clockwise, and once the dipole is aligned with the field it will not accelerate move left or right
D. initially rotate counterclockwise, and once the dipole is aligned opposite the field it will accelerate to the right
E. initially rotate counterclockwise, and once the dipole is aligned opposite the field it will accelerate to the left

Transcript text: Q1. An electric dipole, consisting of two equal and opposite point charges at the ends of an insulating rod, sits in the electric field of a stationary positive point charge, as shown. The dipole is free to move. After the dipole is released from rest it will... A. initially rotate clockwise, and once the dipole is aligned with the field it will accelerate to the right B. initially rotate clockwise, and once the dipole is aligned with the field it will accelerate to the left C. initially rotate clockwise, and once the dipole is aligned with the field it will not accelerate move left or right D. initially rotate counterclockwise, and once the dipole is aligned opposite the field it will accelerate to the right E. initially rotate counterclockwise, and once the dipole is aligned opposite the field it will accelerate to the left

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding the Problem

The problem involves an electric dipole in the electric field of a stationary positive point charge. The dipole consists of two equal and opposite point charges at the ends of an insulating rod. We need to determine the motion of the dipole after it is released from rest.

Step 2: Analyzing the Electric Field

The electric field of a positive point charge radiates outward. The positive end of the dipole will experience a repulsive force, while the negative end will experience an attractive force towards the positive point charge.

Step 3: Determining the Initial Rotation

Since the dipole is initially not aligned with the electric field, the forces on the two charges will create a torque. The positive charge will be pushed away from the point charge, and the negative charge will be pulled towards it. This will cause the dipole to rotate.

Step 4: Direction of Rotation

Given the configuration in the image, the dipole will initially rotate clockwise to align itself with the electric field lines.

Step 5: Final Alignment and Acceleration

Once the dipole is aligned with the electric field, the forces on the two charges will be balanced in terms of rotation, but the dipole will experience a net force towards the point charge due to the stronger attraction of the negative charge (closer to the point charge) compared to the repulsion of the positive charge (farther from the point charge).