Question

Consider an electric dipole, composed of charges +q and -q separated by distance d, that is viewed from a large distance (large compared to d). What do we expect about the electric field due to the dipole viewed from this distance?
A. The electric field could be weaker or stronger than a single point charge q viewed from the same distance.B. The electric field is significantly weaker than the electric field due to a single point charge q viewed from the same distance.C. The electric field is significantly stronger than a single point charge q viewed from the same distance.D. The electric field will be exactly zero.

Answer 1

I tidy up the question as follows (Please notify me for any mistakes in the question):

Consider an electric dipole, composed of charges +q and -q separated by distance d, that is viewed from a large distance (large compared to d). What do we expect about the electric field due to the dipole viewed from this distance?

A. The electric field could be weaker or stronger than a single point charge q viewed from the same distance.

B. The electric field is significantly weaker than the electric field due to a single point charge q viewed from the same distance.

C. The electric field is significantly stronger than a single point charge q viewed from the same distance.

D. The electric field will be exactly zero.

Answer:

C) The electric field is significantly stronger than a single point charge q viewed from the same distance.

Explanation:

Electric field strength for single point charge is governed by the following equation:

E = kq/(r^2)

By having two electric dipole positive and negative, at any space between the dipoles, it will experience attraction and repulsion at the same time resulting the superposition of forces between the two forces.

Since both of the forces will be acting to the same way, the forces will be added.

Since force is proportional to energy, the electrical potential energy or in this case electric field will become significantly stronger.