Question:
Figure 1.5 shows electric field lines in which an electric dipole p is placed as shown. Which of the following statements is correct?
(a) The dipole will not experience any force.
(b) The dipole will experience a force towards right.
(c) The dipole will experience a force towards left.
(d) The dipole will experience a force upwards.
Solution:
We know electric field emerges radially outward from positive point charge.
In the figure given above, space between field lines is increasing (or density of electric field line is decreasing). In other words, the electric force is decreasing while moving from left to right.
Thus, the force on charge ‒q is greater than the force on charge + q in turn dipole will experience a force towards left direction.