Question

At a point P on the equatorial line of a dipole, both charges are at equal distances. This distance is expressed as:

Options

• \[r\]

• \[a\]

• \[\sqrt{r^2-a^2}\]

• \[\sqrt{r^2+a^2}\]

Answer 1

When a point P lies on the equatorial line at distance r from the centre O, the dipole charges are positioned at perpendicular distance a from the axis. Using the Pythagorean theorem, each charge is at a distance of \[\sqrt{r^2+a^2}\] from point P, which is crucial for calculating the electric field at the equatorial line.