Question

What is the net force acting on an electric dipole when it is placed in a uniform electric field?

Options

• The net force equals the torque magnitude

• The net force is equal to pE

• The net force is zero

• The net force is equal to pE sin θ

Answer 1

In a uniform electric field, the forces on the positive and negative charges of the dipole are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. Since they act on different points, they produce a torque but their vector sum equals zero, resulting in zero net force.