Practice question
Question
An electric dipole with moment \( p = 5 \times 10^{-9} \, \text{C m} \) lies along the y-axis. What is
the potential at \( (0, 3, 0) \, \text{m} \)? (Take \( \frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0} = 9 \times 10^9 \,
\text{Nm}^2 \text{C}^{-2} \)).
Explanation
**Potential energy of two charges** U = k q₁ q₂/r, k=9×10⁹ N·m²/C², q₁,q₂ in coulombs, r separation (m), positive for like charges (repulsive, work needed to bring together), negative for opposite (attractive, work released). For 20 μC and -8 μC, 0.2 m apart, U=9×10⁹×20×10⁻⁶×(-8×10⁻⁶)/0.2= -7.2 J. Along the dipole axis ( θ = 0° ): V = (1/4 π ε₀) (p/r²) . V = 9 × 10⁹ × (5 × 10⁻⁹/3²) = 9 × 10⁹ × (5 × 10⁻⁹/9) = 5 V . Using V = kQ/r, U = k q₁q₂/r, E = -dV/dr, C = ε₀A/d, 1/C_eq series, C_eq = ΣC parallel, U =
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