Question

A point charge Q is held at a distance r from the center of a dipole that consists of two charges ±q separated by a distance s. The dipole is initially oriented so that the charge Q is located in the plane that bisects the dipole. Assume that r≫s. Immediately after the dipole is released,

what is the magnitude of the force on the dipole?
what is the magnitude of the torque on the dipole?

enter the factor that multiplies 1/ϵ in your answer. Express this factor in terms of q, Q, s, π, and r.

Answer 1

the field from Q is \(\vec E = k\frac{Q}{r^2} \ \hat r\) which given the distances i think you can treat as a uniform parallel field on the dipole of \(E = k\frac{Q}{r^2} \) with \(k = \frac{1}{4 \pi \epsilon_o}\)

but the net force on the dipole as a whole should be zero

the dipole moment p follows from
\(\vec p = q \vec d\) where d is the displacement vector
and the torque from
\(\vec \tau = \vec p \times \vec E = |p||E|\hat n\)
simplifying to
\(\tau = |p||E| =q \times s \times E\)

Answer 2

\[\sf \vec F = k\frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}\]Can you use thisssss?

Answer 3

Dangit pressed enter too late >:(

Answer 4

:-)

Answer 5

The net force by the charge on the dipole cannot be zero since the net force by the dipole on the charge is not.
Work out the latter and use Newton's 3rd law.