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On the axis and on the equator of an electric dipole, for all points _____.

Asked in GUJCET 2018 · Potential of point charges

Answer: (4) on the axis V eq 0 and on the equator V = 0

Step-by-step solution

Idea: the potential at a point is V = K(q/(r₊) - q/(r₋)), where r₊ and r₋ are its distances from +q and -q.

Equator (the perpendicular bisector): r₊ = r₋ for every point, so V = 0 all along it.

Axis: r₊ eq r₋ (apart from the centre, which also lies on the equator), so V eq 0; far away V ≈ (Kp)/(r²), positive on the +q side and negative on the -q side.

So on the axis V eq 0 and on the equator V = 0.

Why the other options are wrong

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