Question

Depict the orientation of an electric dipole in (a) stable and (b) unstable equilibrium in an external uniform electric field. Write the potential energy of the dipole in each case.

Electrostatics deals with the study of forces, fields and potentials arising from static charges. Force and electric field, due to a point charge is basically determined by Coulomb's law. For symmetric charge configurations, Gauss's law, which is also based on Coulomb's law, helps us to find the electric field. A charge/a system of charges like a dipole experience a force/torque in an electric field. Work is required to be done to provide a specific orientation to a dipole with respect to an electric field. Answer the following questions based on the above :

Electrostatics deals with the study of forces, fields and potentials arising from static charges. Force and electric field, due to a point charge is basically determined by Coulomb's law. For symmetric charge configurations, Gauss's law, which is also based on Coulomb's law, helps us to find the electric field. A charge/a system of charges like a dipole experience a force/torque in an electric field. Work is required to be done to provide a specific orientation to a dipole with respect to an electric field.

Two long straight thin wires AB and CD have linear charge densities 10 μC/m and −20 μC/m, respectively. They are kept parallel to each other at a distance 1 m. Find the magnitude and direction of the net electric field at a point midway between them.