Question

An electric dipole $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{p}}$, pointing in the ydirection, is placed midwaybetween two large conducting plates, as shown in Fig. 4.33. Each plate makes a small angle $\mathit{\theta }$with respect to the xaxis, and they are maintained at potentials $\mathbf{\pm }\mathbf{V}$.What is the directionof the net force on$\overrightarrow{\mathbf{p}}$?(There's nothing to calculate,here, butdo explain your answer qualitatively.)

Short answer

The net force on$\overrightarrow{p}$placed midway between two large conducting plates is towards the right.

Step-by-step solution

Given data

There is a dipole with dipole moment $\overrightarrow{p}$pointing in the ydirection and placed midway

between two large conducting plates.

The plate makes asmall angle $\theta$with respect to the xaxis.

The plates maintained at potentials $\pm V$.

Determine the direction of force on a dipole

The lines of force and the corresponding electric field are always perpendicular to a conducting surface.Thus, for the setup mentioned in the problem, the lines of follows emerge from the upper plate kept at a positive potential and go into the lower plate kept at a negative potential as follows

The corresponding direction of forces on the positive and negative ends of the dipole are also shown in the above figure.

Thus, the net force is towards the right.