Question

A electric dipole is placed at an angle of 30º to a nonuniform electric field. The dipole will experience

(a) a torque only

(b) a translational force only in the direction of the field

(c) a translational force only in a direction normal to the direction of the field

(d) a torque as well as a translational force.

Answer 1

The correct option is (d) a torque as well as a translational force.

Explanation:

Any electric dipole in a uniform electric field experiences a torque but since here, the electric field is not uniform, the forces which make the couple do not cancel and hence there will be an additional translational force acting on the dipole along with the torque.