Practice question
Question
A dipole with \( p = 8 \times 10^{-9} \, \text{C m} \) is at 90° to a field \( E = 6 \times 10^4 \,
\text{N/C} \). What is the torque?
Explanation
**Interaction of dipole with uniform field** produces pure couple without net force, equal opposite forces forming torque. Potential energy minimum -pE at alignment, maximum +pE at anti-alignment, governing orientation dynamics. tau = p E sin θ . tau = 8 × 10⁻⁹ × 6 × 10⁴ × sin 90° = 48 × 10⁻⁵ × 1 = 4.8 × 10⁻⁴ N m . Substituting values gives 4.8 × 10⁻⁴ N m, which matches expected magnitude for this electrostatic configuration, confirming Coulomb's and Gauss's principles and charge quantization consistency.
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