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A dipole is placed at the origin (oriented along the +x axis, with charges along the x-axis as in the figure). Find the direction of the electric field at a point P located on the +y axis at (0, y).

1. along the +y axis
2. along the -y axis
3. along the +x axis
4. along the -x axis

Correct answer: along the -x axis

Solution

Point P on the y-axis lies on the equatorial line of a dipole whose axis is along x. On the equatorial line the field is E = -k*p/r³, i.e., directed opposite to the dipole moment. With p along +x, the field at P is along -x.

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