Where do electric fields come from?
Read moreTable of Contents
Textbook Solutions for Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, Standard Edition (Chs 1-36)
Question
An electric field can induce an electric dipole in a neutral atom or molecule by pushing the positive and negative charges in opposite directions. The dipole moment of an induced dipole is directly proportional to the electric field. That is, p u = aE u , where a is called the polarizability of the molecule. A bigger field stretches the molecule farther and causes a larger dipole moment. a. What are the units of a? b. An ion with charge q is distance r from a molecule with polarizability a. Find an expression for the force F u ion on dipole.
Solution
The first step in solving 23 problem number 97 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: An electric field can induce an electric dipole in a neutral atom or molecule by pushing the positive and negative charges in opposite directions. The dipole moment of an induced dipole is directly proportional to the electric field. That is, p u = aE u , where a is called the polarizability of the molecule. A bigger field stretches the molecule farther and causes a larger dipole moment. a. What are the units of a? b. An ion with charge q is distance r from a molecule with polarizability a. Find an expression for the force F u ion on dipole.
From the textbook chapter The Electric Field you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
Visible to paid subscribers only
Step 3 of 7)Visible to paid subscribers only
full solution