Question

When an electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field, what is the net force acting on the dipole?

Options

• Zero

• Equal to 2qE

• Equal to pE

• Equal to qE

Answer 1

In a uniform electric field, the positive charge experiences force +qE along the field direction, while the negative charge experiences force -qE opposite to the field. These equal and opposite forces cancel out, resulting in zero net force. Although there is no translational motion, the forces act at different points, forming a couple that produces torque.