Aproton is moved to the left in a uniform electric field that points to the right. Is the proton moving in the direction of increasing or decreasing electric potential? Is the electrostatic potential energy of the proton increasing or decreasing?
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Textbook Solutions for Physics for Scientists and Engineers,
Question
A charge configuration consists of three point charges located on the z axis (Figure 23-33). One has a charge equal to -2q, and is located at the origin. The other two each have a charge equal to +q, one is located at z=+L and the other is located at z=-L. This charge configuration can be modeled as two dipoles: one centered at z=+L/2 and with a dipole moment in the +z direction, the other centered at z=-L/2 and with a dipole moment in the -z direction. Each of these dipoles has a dipole moment that has a magnitude equal to qL. Two dipoles arranged in this fashion form a linear electric quadrupole. (There are other geometrical arrangements of dipoles that create quadrupoles but they are not linear.)
(a) Using the result from Problem 33, show that at large distances from the quadrupole (i.e., for \(r \gg L\) ), the electric potential is given by \(V_{\text {quad }}(r, \theta)=2 k B \cos ^2 \theta / r^3\), where \(B=q L^2\). ( B is the magnitude of the quadrupole moment of the charge configuration.)
(b) Show that on the positive z axis, this potential gives an electric field (for \(z \gg L\) ) of \(\vec{E}=\left(6 k B / z^4\right) \hat{k}\).
(c) Show you get the result of Part (b) by adding the electric fields from the three point charges.
Solution
The first step in solving 23 problem number 34 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: A charge configuration consists of three point charges located on the z axis (Figure 23-33). One has a charge equal to -2q, and is located at the origin. The other two each have a charge equal to +q, one is located at z=+L and the other is located at z=-L. This charge configuration can be modeled as two dipoles: one centered at z=+L/2 and with a dipole moment in the +z direction, the other centered at z=-L/2 and with a dipole moment in the -z direction. Each of these dipoles has a dipole moment that has a magnitude equal to qL. Two dipoles arranged in this fashion form a linear electric quadrupole. (There are other geometrical arrangements of dipoles that create quadrupoles but they are not linear.) (a) Using the result from Problem 33, show that at large distances from the quadrupole (i.e., for \(r \gg L\) ), the electric potential is given by \(V_{\text {quad }}(r, \theta)=2 k B \cos ^2 \theta / r^3\), where \(B=q L^2\). ( B is the magnitude of the quadrupole moment of the charge configuration.) (b) Show that on the positive z axis, this potential gives an electric field (for \(z \gg L\) ) of \(\vec{E}=\left(6 k B / z^4\right) \hat{k}\). (c) Show you get the result of Part (b) by adding the electric fields from the three point charges.
From the textbook chapter ELECTRIC POTENTIAL you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
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