Question

If an electric dipole is placed in a non-uniform electric field ______ will act on the dipole.

(a) A force but no torque

(b) Both force and torque

(c) Torque but no force

(d) No torque or force

I had been asked this question in exam.

Origin of the question is Dipole in a Uniform External Field in section Charges and Fields of Physics – Class 12

Answer 1

Right option is (b) Both force and torque

The best explanation: In the case of a non-uniform electric field, the force acting on both the charges of the dipole will be unequal. So, there will be a net force acting on the dipole in a certain direction. Also, there will be a torque due to two forces acting at two different points. But in case of a uniform electric field, the net force on the dipole will be zero but net torque will be non-zero.